HPD traffic cop kills naked man HPD officer shoots, kills naked man who chased him

Account by police disputed by family members, community activist

The family of 29-year-old Raymond Smith gather at the scene where he was shot and killed by a Houston police officer in the 6000 block of East T.C. Jester. The family of 29-year-old Raymond Smith gather at the scene where he was shot and killed by a Houston police officer in the 6000 block of East T.C. Jester. Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Chronicle Photo: Sharon Steinmann, Chronicle Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close HPD traffic cop kills naked man 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

A Houston police officer used his Taser on, then fatally shot a combative, naked 29-year-old man Thursday afternoon in northwest Houston, police said.

The man, identified by relatives as Raymond Smith Jr., stopped his pickup next to the officer's cruiser in a median in the 6000 block of T.C. Jester near DeSoto. The officer, identified today as five-year veteran Brian Bueno, had just ticketed another motorist.

Activist Quanell X said he had talked to an eyewitness whose account of the incident differed from that of police.

According to Houston Police Department spokeswoman Johanna Abad, Smith shouted at Bueno and began to take off his clothes. Bueno told Smith to get back into his truck and leave.

Bueno called for backup about 1 p.m. before getting out of his car and trying to subdue the man. The officer's Taser had no effect on Smith, Abad said.

Smith then ran into a nearby wooded area.

"The male is undressed completely, turns around and starts chasing the officer," Abad said. "The officer at this time begins retreating and as he is running backward, as he is retreating and seeing the guy come at him, he discharges his weapon."

Abad said she did not know how many times Smith was shot or where he was wounded. She also said she did not know if he was armed.

"The suspect gets up after being shot," Abad said, "and goes into the patrol car attempting to leave ... The officer receives backup and is being assisted in getting the suspect out of his car and in custody."

Two other Houston police officers and a deputy constable had arrived on the scene, Abad explained. "The suspect gets up and runs into the woods and this is where he expires."

Hans Marticiuc, president of the Houston Police Officers Union, said Smith was shot twice, but continued to struggle with officers and was Tasered again.

Police account disputed

Family members and others at the scene questioned the version of events Abad related to reporters.

"You'll need to come up with a better story than that!" one person shouted.

"Why did they have to shoot him?" another person said.

Later Thursday, Quanell X held a news conference where he produced an eyewitness, Rhonda Kersee, who he said told him she had given police a different version of the events.

It could not be confirmed late Thursday if police had taken such a statement.

Kersee, who lives nearby, told police that Smith was pulled over by Bueno, who made Smith get out of the truck and patted him down, Quanell X said.

Smith did not disrobe, but his pants may have fallen down during the search, Quanell X said the woman told him.

Kersee said Smith was brought out of the woods, handcuffed, to the officer's car, where he may have been shot again because "there was some smoke," Quanell X said.

HPD and the Harris County District Attorney's Office will investigate the shooting, as is routine in such incidents. The Harris County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

Relatives at the scene Thursday afternoon were skeptical of Bueno's version of events. Smith's father, Raymond Sr., said he could not explain his son's behavior as it was described by police. He said that his son did not have a history of mental illness and was not on any medication.

Court records show Smith had a criminal record dating back to 1995 — eight convictions, half of them on drug charges.

The most recent charge was in 2003. He pleaded guilty in June of that year to the manufacture and delivery of less than a gram of a controlled substance and served almost all of a two-year prison sentence, records show.

Father of two daughters

In 2001, Smith pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance and was sentenced to four years in prison, serving two. In 1999, he pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance and received a three-year sentence. He served one year.

He also was convicted of evading arrest, auto theft and other drug offenses.

Smith, known to relatives as "Tukey," was a longshoreman at the Port of Houston and the father of two daughters.

"Every time you saw him he had a smile on his face and he always wanted to give you a hug," said Evelyn Swan, the slain man's cousin. "He is not a rowdy person."

Other family members at the scene included Smith's brother and mother, whose car was parked near the cordoned-off police scene.

His mother, Patricia, sat in her car and wailed, "My baby, my baby!"

Chronicle reporters Dale Lezon and Anne Marie Kilday contributed to this story.

rosanna.ruiz@chron.com