[chris]

A Houston police sergeant shot Maxie Ray Whitaker, 42, during a pursuit on Westheimer on May 25, 2025. Off-duty officers working at a business in the 5000 block were alerted to a blue Nissan Versa linked to a recent predatory theft there. A sergeant and two officers tried to stop Whitaker, who drove into oncoming traffic. When Whitaker stopped in traffic, officers tried to remove him. He moved forward and struck a vehicle, pinning the sergeant inside his driver's door. He hit a second vehicle, further pinning the sergeant, who fired multiple times.

Whitaker crossed the median and stopped at a sidewalk. Officers rendered aid, and he was hospitalized in critical condition. Sgt. Marquez was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Prosecutors accepted charges of aggravated assault on a peace officer against Whitaker.