HOUSTON – A man accused of shooting a Houston police officer during a traffic stop in southeast Houston Wednesday morning has been identified, according to the Houston Police Department.
The suspect, Jimmy Bryan, 23, was charged with two counts of aggravated assault of a public servant. Texas Department of Public Safety records show Bryan has a lengthy criminal history, with offenses dating back to 2016.
HPD Chief Troy Finner said two officers were conducting a traffic stop for the suspect, who was wanted on an outstanding drug warrant.
Finner said when Bryan pulled over at an Exxon gas station in the 14800 block of Gulf Freeway around 11: 20 a.m., he and the two officers started exchanging words.
Bryan, according to the officers, then exited his vehicle and immediately started firing, striking one of the officers in the pelvic area. The second officer was not injured.
The officers returned fire, hitting Bryan multiple times.
The injured officer, identified as HPD Officer J. Sallee, was taken to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital by a police vehicle where he is in stable condition. Finner said he is expected to be OK.
“Thank God for his ballistic vest and flashlight, which may have saved his life,” Finner said.
Bryan was also taken to the hospital by ambulance in critical condition.
As standard procedure, both officers have been placed on administrative leave. Both officers involved were sworn in as HPD officers in June 2012 and are assigned to the Traffic Enforcement Division.
The District Attorney’s Office is investigating the shooting.
HPD has not released a recent photo of the suspect as he remains hospitalized, however, KPRC obtained DPS records containing prior mug shots.
According to records, Bryan has multiple offenses across various agencies, including police departments in Houston, Pasadena, Seabrook, Clear Lake Shores and Edinburg.
Prior charges have included theft of a firearm, possession, assault causing bodily injury, violating bond/ protective order and driving while intoxicated, records show.