HOUSTON – A man who was carrying a gun is dead after an officer-involved shooting in southeast Houston.
According to Houston police, two officers were driving down Cullen Boulevard at Ward at 12:40 a.m. Saturday when they saw Alva Burnett Braziel, 38, in the middle of the street with a revolver pointed in the air.
The officers, Officers L. Lopez and E. Marcias stopped their vehicle, took cover behind the open doors and ordered Braziel to lay his weapon on the ground, police said.
This was the gun recovered at the police shooting this morning. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/QhNsBItQUr
— Jake Reiner (@Reiner_Jake) July 9, 2016
A witness told Braziel to put the gun down, according to Houston police.
Officials said after repeated commands to drop the weapon and after pointing the gun at Lopez and Marcias multiple times, they shot Braziel.
He died at the scene.
The officers were not hurt.
Other witnesses who spoke to KPRC 2 said a gun was never pointed at officers.
A woman who identified herself as the man's wife said his name is Alva Braziel.
Family gave us this picture of Alva Braziel. He is the man shot & killed by police this morning. @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/V5CydrE5Ef
— Jake Reiner (@Reiner_Jake) July 9, 2016
She said the reason Braziel was out early in the morning was because "somebody stole his horse."
People nearby expressed shock following the shooting.
"I could be next. Anybody could be next, but it's all about the way we conduct ourselves out here," resident Erick Puckett said. "We got to just start walking better and doing better as a community."
Officers Lopez and Macias were sworn in as officers in May 2003 and June 2006, respectively. Both are assigned to the Gang Division.
Both officers are on paid administrative leave while the case is under investigation.
The case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office.