HPD officer suspended over fatal shooting while he was off duty Off-duty HPD officer suspended in fatal shooting

An off-duty Houston police officer who fatally shot one man and injured another while attempting to break up a fight in the parking lot of a bar over the weekend has been relieved of duty, authorities said Monday.

Jose Coronado was suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation of the shooting, said Houston Police Department spokesman John Cannon. Cannon would not elaborate on the reason for the suspension. Coronado previously had been placed on administrative desk duty — department policy for all shootings involving officers.

Officials said he fatally shot Omar Ventura and wounded the man's brother, Rolando Ventura, in an incident on Saturday involving a longtime friend of the officer.

Officials with the Houston Police Officers Union could not be reached for comment about the suspension.

On Sunday, Chad Hoffman, a union attorney representing Coronado, said the off-duty officer had been drinking but was not intoxicated.

An HPD general order states that "officers shall not exercise police authority while under the influence of intoxicants whether on or off duty."

The order states that being under the influence of alcohol is defined as "having any measurable concentration of alcohol in one's blood, breath, or urine."

Details about Coronado's blood-alcohol level were not available.

Went to help friend

Coronado and his wife were leaving Sherlock's Baker St. Pub and Grill, in the 1900 block of West Gray, at about 2 a.m. Saturday and walking to their vehicle when he heard someone yelling that his friend was being attacked, officials said. Coronado told investigators he saw his friend lying on his back on the ground being kicked and punched by at least four men, authorities said.

Coronado ran over to help and identified himself as a Houston police officer several times and began trying to pull people off his friend, officials said. At that point, at least two of the men tried to attack Coronado, authorities said.

Coronado then pushed them away and again identified himself as a police officer, authorities said. One of the men then said that he had a gun, officials said, and then began reaching toward his waistband.

Unclear if second gun found

Fearing for his safety, Coronado then drew his duty weapon and fired shots toward the man, one of the Ventura brothers, authorities said. The other brother then came toward Coronado, who then fired shots at that man, authorities said.

Police have not released whether an additional gun was found at the scene.

Coronado has been with the department for four years and works in the South Central Patrol tactical unit. HPD's Internal Affairs Division, homicide division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office are investigating the incident.

anita.hassan@chron.com