HPD Officer Involved In Deadly Shooting Relieved Of Duty

HOUSTON — An undercover Houston Police officer who took part in a drug raid that turned into a deadly shootout has been relieved of duty, officials confirmed Thursday.

The officer was not one of the five officers who were injured during the raid, and officials investigating the raid have not indicated why the officer was relieved.

On Jan. 28, undercover HPD narcotics officers who were backed by patrol officers raided the home of a suspected drug dealer in the 7800 block of Harding Street in southeast Houston.

Police entered the home, and allegedly announced they were police with a search warrant. Officers claimed they were attacked by a large dog and fired on as soon as they were inside the home.

During the operation, four officers were shot and wounded, while another suffered a knee injury that required surgery. Two people inside the home — 59-year-old Dennis Tuttle and his wife, Rhogena Nicholas-Tuttle, 58, were killed by police during the shootout.

Media and community members have asked for our search affidavit related to the Narcotics Division search warrant. Consistent with ⁦@houstonpolice⁩ commitment to transparency it is included here. We will provide an update tomorrow #RelationalPolicing pic.twitter.com/LWxb6glYIY
— Chief Art Acevedo (@ArtAcevedo) January 30, 2019

Police searched the home after the shootout, but did not find black tar heroin. Officers, however did recover several weapons, marijuana and a white powder substance.

In the days following the operation, there has been public speculation that police may have been at the wrong home, and that the Tuttle's were neighborly people who'd lived in the home for more than 20 years.

The Houston Police Officer's Union issued the following statement: "Rumors continue to spread around the shooting last month on Harding Street where 5 police officers were injured and 2 suspects died. To be clear, officers were not on the wrong street and entry at that location was not made at random. We would refer you to the call slip from that location on January 8th, over 2 weeks prior to the shooting. We have confirmed that at least one narcotics officer has been relieved of duty due to ongoing questions that cannot be answered until the case agent is interviewed."

The shooting remains under investigation.

STORIES:

• 5 Houston Police Officers Injured, 2 Suspects Killed In Shootout
• Police Release Names Of Suspects Killed In Narcotics Shootout

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