HOUSTON – A man who was shot by a Houston police officer in northeast Houston after reaching for a gun while he was asked to get out of his vehicle has been charged, authorities said.
Broderick Rax, 39, is charged with unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon and possession of controlled substance. A booking photo of Rax, who remains hospitalized in stable condition with a gunshot wound, is not available at this time.
HPD officers patrolling the 8400 block of Tidwell Road were in a marked police vehicle and observed a black Lincoln sedan parked on the side of a business that had visible “No Trespassing” signs. Police said the vehicle remained at the location for some time and the officers began a trespassing investigation.
Investigators said the uniformed officers approached the driver’s side of the Lincoln and observed a man, later identified as Rax, sitting in the front driver’s seat. Officers told Rax they were conducting an investigation and that there was a strong smell of marijuana coming from his vehicle.
Officers said they then instructed the suspect to exit the vehicle but he refused to comply. Rax continued to resist orders as officers attempted to remove him from the vehicle, investigators said. During the struggle, officers said they saw a gun on the driver’s side floorboard, within Rax’s reach. Officers reportedly Tased the suspect in an attempt to detain him but the Tasers did not affect him.
As the struggle continued, an officer said he saw the suspect reach for the gun. At that time, one officer, identified as Officer G. Chappell, fired his weapon at Rax, striking him once. The suspect then ran out of the vehicle and into the business, where officers took him into custody.
Officers said they gave first aid to the Rax and Houston Fire Department paramedics transported him to an area hospital in stable condition.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office was on the scene and accepted two felony charges against the suspect.
As is customary in shooting incidents involving HPD officers in the city limits, the case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, the Internal Affairs Division and the DA’S office.
Chappell was sworn in as an officer in July 2019 and is assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division.