Police Release Names Of Suspects Killed In Narcotics Shootout

HOUSTON — Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo provided an update on the conditions of the officers injured in Monday’s shooting, and released the names of the two alleged drug dealers killed. Those suspects were identified as Dennis Tuttle, 59, and Rhogena Nicholas-Tuttle, 58.

Acevedo said about a dozen officers were at the scene in the 7800 block of Harding Street to serve the warrant with undercover narcotics officers as part of the investigation into the sale of black tar heroin.

As soon as the officers breached the door and announced themselves, the immediately came under fire, Acevedo said.

“The first officer through the door was armed with a shotgun, he was charged immediately by a large pit bull,” Acevedo said.

The officer fired at the dog, killing the animal. Acevedo said a man, identified as Tuttle, came from the back of the home and fired a .357 handgun at officers, hitting the first officer with the shotgun in the shoulder.

The wounded officer fell on a nearby sofa in the living room, and Nicholas-Tuttle charged at the officer and went for his shotgun. She was wounded and killed by other officers coming into the house, Acevedo said.

Meanwhile, Tuttle continued the gunfight with officers, wounding three others before he was killed.

Among those wounded officers was a 54-year-old officer with more than 30 years in law enforcement. Acevedo said that officer was the lead case officer, who has been wounded on two other occasions in his career with HPD.

“When they breached the door, he immediately knew his partners were down and he made entry,” Acevedo said.

Officers searched the home after the shooting and recovered a cache of weapons, marijuana and a white powdery substance. Officials did not find black tar heroin in the house.

However, Acevedo said undercover agents were aware it was sold from the home after making transactions for the illegal narcotic as part of their investigation.

Meanwhile, Dr. Michelle McNutt, the chief trauma surgeon at Memorial Hermann Hospital who provided an update on the officers' condition, said three of the remaining officers are in stable condition.

One of those officers who suffered a knee injury, underwent surgery and will be discharged sometime this week, she said.

One of the officers, who officials initially said was shot in the neck, was actually shot in the face, and underwent surgery Monday night.

“He’s currently recovering and will undergo other multiple operations by our facial trauma team in the future,” McNutt said.

Another officer who was also shot in the face is also recovering and will not require surgery, she said.

“He will mostly like be discharged later today. He is doing well,” McNutt said.

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Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

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