I'm Assistant Chief Christy Smith of the Houston Police Department. This critical incident briefing is intended to provide you with information about an officer involved shooting that occurred in Houston on May 25th, 2025. HPD conducts thorough investigations into officer involved shootings. These typically require investigators to interview multiple witnesses, view numerous hours of video footage, and analyze a significant amount of forensic evidence. It is important to note that we are in the very early stages of the investigation and we continue to review additional evidence as it is collected and analyzed. The videos you are about to see can be graphic and may be difficult to watch. These videos may also contain strong language. Viewer discretion is advised. At approximately 5:19 p.m., off-duty Houston police officers working security jobs at the Galleria Mall located a blue Nissan Versa recently involved in a predatory theft. As one sergeant and two officers approached the vehicle, Mr. Maxi Ray Whitaker drove it into oncoming traffic. When the Nissan came to a stop, the sergeant attempted to remove Mr. Whitaker from the car. Mr. Whitaker drove the Nissan forward, striking another vehicle and pinning the sergeant inside the driver's side door. The sergeant discharged his duty weapon, striking Mr. Whitaker. Mr. Whitaker drove over the median and ran into the curb on the opposite side of the road. Officers performed first aid until HFD arrived. Mr. Whitaker was transported to the hospital in critical condition. The sergeant was also transported and treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Ow. Hey. Ow. >> Stop. Stop. >> We need safety out here. at the fight. >> On the groundbody here, we got one shot. Sir, you okay? You okay? Hey, get him out. Hey, help me out. Get him out of the room. the way I got outside in front of the Grand Lux Cafe. Hey, where's your shot? >> Right here. Roll him over. Roll him over. Roll him over. >> Where's Where's your shot? >> Turn him over here. >> We about to kill him, sir. >> You can't do that. >> Roll over. Roll over. Roll over. >> Are you okay? >> I think time check. >> Yeah. >> Get out of the car. >> Get out of the car. What the [ __ ] >> You squashed. You [ __ ] almost killed me. >> You almost killed me. >> You almost killed me, [ __ ] >> You almost [ __ ] killed me. >> Sir, I'm handcuffed. >> You didn't stop. Hey, please sir. Sir, please sir. Y'all kill me. Sir, please sir. Okay. Yeah. Hey, get him out of here. Hey, help me out. Get him out the way. Get him out the way. Get him out the way. >> Yeah. Anybody got a target? Anybody got check?