SUSPECT SHOT DURING TASK FORCE STING

PEARLAND -- A man suspected of drug involvement was shot during a
narcotics task force sting after authorities said he rammed his pickup
truck into an unmarked police vehicle as he fled from police.

Frederick Tippett, 37, was being treated today at Memorial Hermann
Hospital with gunshot wounds to the neck and arm.

The task force consisting of officers from the Houston, Pasadena,
South Houston and Seabrook police departments, Harris County Sheriff's
Office and the Drug Enforcement Agency were investigating a cocaine
related case which led them to Tippett's home about 10:30 p.m. Tuesday.

According to police reports, task force members wearing clearly marked
police attire were waiting for Tippett at his home near Pearland when
he drove up in a 2006 Chevrolet pickup. When he saw the officers,
Tippett drove off, said Vance Mitchell with the Pasadena Police Department.

Tippett fled at a moderate speed and was approached about 3-4 miles
from the residence by a DEA agent in an unmarked vehicle. The agent
drove up beside Tippett on the passenger side and identified himself
as a police officer.

Mitchell said Tippett responded by ramming the police car with his
truck. As the officer slowed and attempted to maneuver his unit behind
the suspect vehicle, a second contact between the vehicles occurred
which caused Tippett to lose control of the truck. The truck and
police car ended up facing one another about 15-20 feet apart.

According to police, Tippett accelerated and collided head-on with the
stopped police unit. As Tippett was in the process of backing the
vehicle from the point of impact, the officer, believing he was at
risk of being hit by Tippett again, exited his car and fired three
times, striking Tippett in the neck and arm, Mitchell said.

Tippett remained hospitalized today and listed in stable condition.
The DEA agent, whose name was not released by authorities, was treated
and released.

Officers recovered two kilos of cocaine with a street value of $40,000
to $50,000 from Tippett's truck. The Brazoria County Sheriff's Office
is investigating the shooting.

No charges have been filed in the case.

Chronicle reporter Richard Stewart contributed to this report.