Autopsy: Houston Officer Shot Latino Man In Back
Wednesday, May 16, 2007 at 10:33PM 
Family members of a man shot by Houston police said the autopsy report proves what they have said all along -- that he did not deserve to be killed, KPRC Local 2 reported Tuesday.
Hegnor Irias, 22, died from a gunshot wound at about 2:30 p.m. Saturday in the 6200 block of West Bellfort in southwest Houston.
Investigators said two police officers responded to a robbery call in the parking lot where a woman said her purse was stolen at gunpoint. She described her attacker and said he left the location on a bicycle.
As officers searched the area, they spotted Irias go into the Bel Lindo Apartments, officials said, before he ran off.
Another officer confronted Irias, who was armed, police said. When Irias refused to drop his gun in his right hand, the officer fired twice, striking Irias as he ran by him, according to the police report. Irias' .38-caliber revolver was recovered at the scene, officials said.
Property belonging to the two robbery victims was recovered from Irias, according to authorities.
An autopsy revealed Irias was shot once in the upper middle part of his back. Preliminary reports at the scene indicated Irias was shot in the front upper torso.
Family members said they are devastated.
"He was sweet. He would always come up to us, hug us and tell us how much he loved us. He will really be missed," cousin Angela Flores said. "The way he got shot -- the way he got killed was not fair. He was young."
Some witnesses who saw officers chase Irias through the complex insisted that Irias was shot in the back while police claimed he was shot in the chest.
Irias' family members said they believe there's proof that the shooting was unjustified.
"That was not fair because everybody I talked to and they say (he was) shot in the back. My wife has suffered because the way they killed him," uncle Jose Rivera said.
"They got Taser guns -- they could have used it. They use it for every other reason and they could have used it that day. But, instead, they shot him in the back. So, we're going to look for justice," said a friend, who wanted to remain unidentified.
The family hired an attorney.
The shooting is under investigation, which is standard policy for any officer-involved shooting.
Surveillance video captured the shooting on tape, but it was not released to the public. Irias' mother was allowed to view the tape along with her attorney, the district attorney and police investigators. [MORE]
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