Texas authorities The suspect in the murder of Hispanic officer Fernando Esqueda was capturedwho was ambushed early Thursday morning in Houston while investigating the attack on a Little Caesars restaurant worker.
Law enforcement in and around Harris County They were looking for Ronald “Ronnie” Palmer Jr., 44.in connection with the death of a local sheriff’s deputy and an aggravated assault that occurred at the Little Caesars pizzeria on Wallisville Road.
Palmer was located and taken into custody without further incident. It was located at a residence in the 12300 block of Ghita Ln, according to authorities.
“We don’t know what happened and we’re still trying to piece it together. Palmer has not yet been charged, but he has been taken into custody without incident. It’s been a very difficult day in our community,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said during a news conference Thursday night.
The officer was 28 years old and a five-year veteran of the force, Gonzalez wrote in X when his death was announced.
“We are very sad. He was an amazing young man who left us too soon. He loved being a police officer and he leaves a huge void,” she added.
Gonzalez said police are still investigating whether there were other people involved.
How did the murder of Officer Fernando Esqueda occur?
An enraged customer at the pizzeria allegedly pistol-whipped a worker and fled. While authorities were searching for the suspect in that case, Esqueda was ambushed while talking on the phone with another detectiveauthorities said Thursday.
Backup arrived and found Esqueda’s vehicle riddled with bullet holes in the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail around 1 a.m. Thursday. He had been shot multiple times.
Esqueda was a member of a highly select task force, Deputy Chief Mike Lee told reporters.
“This group goes out every day to hunt child rapists, murder suspects and some of the most heinous criminals out there, and that’s what they do every day for a living,” Lee said.
His colleagues rushed him to hospital in a patrol vehicle in critical condition, where he died from his injuries.
We mourn the loss of @HCSOTexas Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who tragically passed away after being shot while protecting our community.
Deputy Esqueda was a five-year Harris County Sheriff’s Office veteran and served our community in the HCSO
1/3 pic.twitter.com/E1MT0hHENt
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 11, 2024
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledged the state’s full support to local police as they search for the gunman.
“Every time our law enforcement officers put on their badges, they are selflessly putting their lives on the line. Violence against law enforcement officers will never be tolerated in Texas,” he said in a statement.
Authorities are asking anyone with information regarding this investigation to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). There is a $5,000 reward for information on the case.
“None of us are prepared for such an untimely death and our members need your prayers and support. Our thoughts are with his family as they deal with this horrible news,” Gonzalez said.
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