On Monday, June 9, 2025, at approximately 7:44 p.m., Conroe Police Officers were dispatched by 911 calls from citizens to MLK Park, located at 1001 Ave. M, about a white male armed with a machete. Witnesses reported that the individual, later identified as 32-year-old Zachary Robert Raychel, of Conroe, was walking through the park while swinging the weapon. A patrol officer located Raychel near the park and attempted to make contact. Raychel ignored commands and advanced toward the officer while actively swinging the machete and stating to “Shoot me”. As the suspect approached the officer, fearing for his safety, the officer discharged one round from his service weapon, striking Raychel. Officers immediately rendered life-saving measures and summoned emergency medical response to transport him to a local hospital, where he arrived in stable condition. No civilians in the park were injured during the incident. The case is under active investigation by the Conroe Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division, in coordination with the Montgomery
County District Attorney’s Office. The officer involved, a four-year department veteran, will not be identified at this time. Chief Buckholtz extends his thoughts and prayers to all those affected by this incident and our police family is grateful for the safety of the officer.
