Houston Police Shooting - Man Shot For Having Tinted Windows? or Dragging Police With His Car

A man and a police officer were both injured during a traffic-stop altercation in Independence Heights last weekend, according to the Houston Police Department.

Mario Watts, 38, and the police officer, identified by HPD as K. Cummins, both received first aid at the scene and were transported to a hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, police said.

Watts, who according to HPD was shot in the right arm and right leg by Cummins, has been charged with aggravated assault of a peace officer in connection with the incident, police said. According to Harris County court records, Watts also has been charged with evading arrest.

Court records say Watts was out of jail on bond related to previous felony charges of possession of a weapon at the time of the incident, which allegedly violated the conditions of the bond. He remained hospitalized as of Monday, according to HPD.

Cummins attempted to make a traffic stop on Watts’ car around 7:15 p.m. Aug. 28, according to police. Watts initially stopped his car, police said, but then allegedly refused to exit the car to be questioned.

According to police, Watts then allegedly tried to drive away as Cummins attempted to pull Watts from the vehicle, allegedly dragging the officer at least 50 feet. Cummins then allegedly fired his gun multiple times, striking Watts in the arm and leg, according to HPD.

HPD said the incident is under investigation by its Special Investigations unit, the Internal Affairs division and the Harris County District Attorney's Office.