David Dwayne Butler shot dead by Houston police officer

Houston police are investigating an incident in which an armed suspect was fatally shot after pointing a gun at a Houston police officer in the 3800 block of Jensen about 7:35 p.m. on Wednesday (Dec. 29).

The suspect, David Dwayne Butler (b/m, DOB: 9-20-84), suffered a gunshot wound and was transported to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Officer C. D. Edwards, who discharged his duty weapon, was not injured in this incident. Officer Edwards, assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division, was sworn in as an officer in Sept. 2007.

HPD Homicide Division Senior Police Officer S. Anderson and Officer J. Harvey reported:

Officer Edwards and his partner were on routine patrol in the 3800 block of Jensen when they encountered an unknown male suspect, later identified as Butler, riding his bicycle on the wrong side of the road without a headlamp. The officers stopped to investigate and called Butler toward them. As Butler was being questioned, he began to put his hands in his pants pockets. Officers gave Butler verbal commands to not reach into his pockets, which he ignored. Butler then quickly reached into his right front pants pocket and attempted to pull out a revolver. Officers tried to keep Butler’s hand in his pocket but he managed to pull the revolver out. Officers gave verbal commmands for Butler to drop the gun, which he ignored. At some point, Butler turned the revolver toward Officer Edwards. Fearing for his life and that of his fellow officer, Officer Edwards discharged his duty weapon at least once and struck Butler. Butler was then taken to the hospital where he died.

As is customary in all HPD officer-involved shootings in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Homicide and Internal Affairs Divisions, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.