Newark Man Shot to Death By Houston Police

By Bay City News

A family quarrel in a residential area of Houston ended in one Newark man dead after officers shot him when he came after them with a knife last Thursday night, a Houston police spokesman said.

Police responded to 1500 Nagle Street after receiving a call of a family disturbance at about 11:45 p.m., police spokesman Kese Smith said.

Two officers found Labaran Idakoji, 26, of Newark, fighting family members — father Abukar Idakoji, 62, and brothers Ibraham Idakoji, 29, and Idris Idakoji, 32, of Newark, and sister Bilkisu Idakoji, 31, of Houston — with a knife, Smith said.

Labaran stabbed his father and brother Ibraham multiple times. Bilkisu and Idris then attacked Labaran with clubs and pipes in an attempt to disarm him, Smith said.

Officers ordered everyone to stop fighting and to get on the ground, but Labaran refused and began to walk toward the officers in a threatening manner, Smith said.

Fearing for their safety, both officers shot Labaran, Smith said. The officers rendered first aid but he was pronounced dead at the scene, he said.

Smith said the Idakoji family was visiting Bilkisu Idakoji at her home on Thursday afternoon when Labaran struck his sister for no apparent reason.

Family members separated the two and attempted to calm Labaran down over the next several hours, Smith said.

Later that evening the family left the home under the assumption everything was resolved when Labaran pulled out the knife and began attacking, the spokesman said.

Abukar and Ibraham were transported to hospitals in critical condition, Smith said.

As of today, Abukar had been upgraded to good condition but remains at Ben Taub General Hospital in Houston, according to hospital personnel.

Ibraham was treated at Memorial Hermann Texas Medical Center but his condition was not available this afternoon.

Idris suffered a cut to the face and Bilkisu had minor injuries to her face and were treated at the scene, he said.

One officer suffered a minor injury to the face and the other was unharmed in the altercation, Smith said.

Houston police internal affairs and homicide divisions, as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office, are investigating the case.