By: Venus Mari Zapedzki
Photo: A suspect seen aiming a handgun during the exchange on Battle Street. (Credit: V. M. Zapedzki)
A shootout between police and suspects last night on Battle Street, outside Vudu Spice, ended with three people wounded.
It began when a woman, identified as Sable Rourke, was stopped by an officer for a routine ID check. When her name was run through the system, it showed a warrant and several open cases.
Initially, I was told, it was a one-officer stop. When Rourke attempted to flee, additional units were called. She was quickly surrounded, and barricades were put up at both ends of the street.
Because of the barricades, a number of onlookers gathered, curious about the commotion (including a reporter from the Observer). At that point an armed man, later identified as Carlos Chavez, appeared and opened fire at the police. Onlookers, including your reporter, immediately took cover (with camera of course!)
Officers returned fire and Chavez fell, wounded. With police attention on the shooter, Ms. Rourke tried to flee again, moving slowly and visibly limping. An unidentified woman walked over to assist her. During that attempt and after commands to stop both Ms. Rourke and the unidentified woman were also shot and wounded.
EMTs were called and the wounded were transported to the hospital. One officer was struck by a round, but his ballistic vest absorbed the hit.
The Observer’s editor adds: We’ve requested comment from HPD and will update if/when there’s an official statement or charges. If you were there and have footage, the Observer welcomes tips, safely of course.
