Houston Police Ending No-Knock Warrants In Wake Of Fatal Shooting

HOUSTON — The Houston Police Department will end its controversial no-knock warrant policy, according to Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

A furious crowd at a southeast Houston town hall meeting confronted Acevedo Monday night, nearly a month after a man and a woman were killed in a shootout with police during a botched drug raid.

“I guarantee you that at the back end of this, when this is all said and done, you will see some tremendous changes….,” Acevedo said after more than 30 minutes of questions and shouting.

Other than the announced end of no-knock warrants, Acevedo said changes will likely include the wearing of body-worn cameras when warrants are being served.

Dennis Tuttle, 59, and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas-Tuttle, 58 were killed and four Houston Police officer’s who used the no-knock method and kicked in the door at 7815 Harding Street were wounded.

The town hall, which was organized by the Greater Houston Coalition for Justice was attended by community members and community activists, all calling for reform and justice in the wake of the Jan. 28 shooting on Harding Street.

"The family was murdered," said Eileen De Los Santos, who knew the Tuttles, said during the meeting. "I would like for someone to use the word murdered because they were murdered."

Charges are expected to be filed by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office against Officer Gerald Goines, who wrote the affidavit that led to the shooting, and Officer Steve Bryant.

Both officers were relieved of duty by Acevedo, and are being investigated by the FBI for possible civil rights violations. However, Harris County DA Kim Ogg other charges could also be considered.

“What charges that’s going to be presented will be based upon the evidence and the evidence is still being collected; interviews are still being conducted,” Ogg said.

READ ALSO:

• 5 Houston Police Officers Injured, 2 Suspects Killed In Shootout
• Police Release Names Of Suspects Killed In Narcotics Shootout
• HPD Officer Involved In Deadly Shooting Relieved Of Duty
• HPD Chief Suggests Officer Lied On Affidavit In Deadly Drug Raid

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Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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