SUSPECTS: 

Black male, approximately 30 – 35 years old,  5’8”, 200 lbs stocky, black “mini-afro” hair style, brown eyes, dark brown complexion. Suspect #1 was wearing a red tee-shirt, black shorts and possibly gray shoes. 

Black male, suspect #2 was driving the vehicle and the complainant did not have a good enough view to give a description.

WEAPON:   Black semi-automatic pistol.

VEHICLE:    Light brown or gold Pontiac Grand Prix, no other information available.

SYNOPSIS:

On Thursday, July 30, 2009 at approximately 10:35 p.m. two witnesses reported to a UHDPS security officer that they heard gunshots in the area of Calhoun at Wheeler.  The witnesses reported they saw two individuals running from the scene.  Based on the description given by the witnesses UHDPS began searching the area for any activity or suspects.  An individual was stopped who met one of the descriptions; it was determined that this individual was the complainant.  The complainant (no affiliation with the University of Houston) advised that he had been playing basketball at MacGregor Park.  The complainant advised UHDPS that he had played basketball with suspect #1 early in the evening and won money from him.  Shortly after completing his basketball game with the suspect the complainant was walking north on Calhoun Street and when he arrived at the intersection of Calhoun and Wheeler a vehicle drove up to him and the suspect got out of the vehicle.  The suspect requested another basketball game for money; when the complainant refused the suspect brandished a firearm and demanded the suspect’s money.  The suspect and the complainant struggled.  During the struggle the firearm discharged two times.  The complainant fled the scene on foot; the suspect may have fled on foot or in the vehicle.  At the UHDPS station the complainant advised he did not want UHDPS to contact the Houston Police Department to file an offense report and that he did not want to press charges.  The complainant was not injured.

If you have any information concerning this incident please contact the UHDPS at 713-743-3333. For information on crime prevention strategies, please visit our web site at police@uh.edu . 

SAFETY TIPS:

Confrontations can occur without provocation, through no fault of your own.  When such confrontations do occur, there are some actions you can take:

• BE ALERT!!
• Be cautious when approached by an unknown person on the street, even the nicest person can have ill intent.
• Remain as calm as possible.Your own initiative and clear thinking are your best defenses.
• The University has more than 70 Emergency call boxes placed strategically around campus, use them! The call goes directly to the UHDPS Dispatch Center.
• Report the incident. Call the police immediately and report what has happened. Call (713) 743-3333 or 911.
• Do not walk alone, if at all possible walk in groups.
• Try to notice details. This can allow you to provide the police with detailed physical and clothing descriptions of the person(s) involved.
• If a vehicle is involved, try to note the vehicle's license plate number or the vehicle's manufacturer, model and color or any other identifying features.

Updates to this alert and past alerts will be posted at https://www.piersystem.com/go/doctype/1093/21522/.

You may contact the University of Houston Department of Public Safety at police@uh.edu  

All faculty, staff and students are encouraged to be alert and to be cautious of their surroundings on and away from campus.

In any emergency situation, or if you see suspicious activity, call 9-1-1. For more information on staying safe and your role in preventing crime, please visit the website of the University of Houston Department of Public Safety at www.uh.edu/police.

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