Image Credit: Houston Police Department and FOX 26 Houston

A northeast Houston shooting that sent fear through a busy neighborhood has now resulted in seven criminal charges against the man police say opened fire on motorists traveling along North Wayside Drive.

The Houston Police Department identified the suspect as Demetri O’Neal Thomas, 45. Authorities say Thomas is charged with four counts of aggravated assault against a public servant and three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in connection with the August 14 incident.

The shooting unfolded shortly before 11 a.m. near North Wayside Drive and St. Louis Street, in the Trinity/Houston Gardens area of northeast Houston.

According to HPD, multiple 911 callers reported seeing a man armed with a rifle firing at vehicles traveling through the area. The reports prompted a rapid response from Houston police officers and a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper.

Three People Wounded in Passing Vehicles

Police say three people were struck by gunfire as they traveled through the neighborhood.

Authorities located three shooting victims after the confrontation. Two were transported to an area hospital, and police later reported that all three victims were in stable condition.

Earlier reports indicated that a mother and daughter were among those wounded while riding together in one vehicle. Another person traveling in a separate vehicle was also struck. A third vehicle was reportedly hit by gunfire, but its occupant was not injured.

The seemingly random nature of the gunfire created an especially frightening situation for motorists who had little warning about what was happening ahead of them.

Witnesses near the scene reportedly attempted to alert approaching drivers and prevent them from entering the area while shots were being fired.

Police Confront Armed Suspect

Investigators say responding officers were directed toward the armed man by people in the neighborhood.

HPD officers eventually located the suspect on the front porch of a residence at 7819 St. Louis Street, according to the department’s August 17 update.

Police say officers repeatedly ordered Thomas to put down the rifle. Investigators allege that he refused those commands and eventually raised the weapon.

Three Houston police officers and one DPS trooper then fired their weapons, striking Thomas. Officers provided first aid until Houston Fire Department paramedics transported him to a hospital in critical condition.

Thomas remained hospitalized when charges were announced Monday.

No law enforcement officers were injured.

Officers Identified as Investigation Continues

HPD identified the three Houston officers who discharged their weapons as J. Avila, J. Luna and J. Avery, all assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division. A Texas DPS trooper also fired during the confrontation.

As with other officer-involved shootings in Houston, several agencies and divisions are reviewing the incident.

The investigation includes HPD’s Homicide Division Special Investigations Unit, the department’s Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

The criminal charges against Thomas will proceed separately through the court system. Charges are allegations, and Thomas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A Frightening Morning for Northeast Houston

For residents and businesses around North Wayside, the incident turned an ordinary Friday morning into a dangerous situation within minutes.

North Wayside is a heavily traveled corridor connecting residential neighborhoods, businesses and major Houston roadways. Gunfire directed toward moving vehicles created danger not only for those who were struck but also for drivers, pedestrians, workers and families throughout the area.

The actions of nearby witnesses who attempted to warn motorists also demonstrate how quickly community members can find themselves responding to an emergency before law enforcement arrives.

Houston police have not publicly announced a motive for the shooting.

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.