Gunman at massive after ambushing, killing deputy following assault on pizza employee over unsuitable order: Officers
A manhunt is underway in Houston for the gunman who ambushed and killed an on-duty deputy in a single day, authorities mentioned.
The incident started simply after 10 p.m. Wednesday when Harris County deputies responded to an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars pizza store, Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace Chief Deputy Mike Lee mentioned at a information convention.
“What occurred is not sensible,” Lee mentioned early Thursday. “The suspect got here into the placement to choose up a pizza that he had ordered.”
“He was upset as a result of the order was incorrect,” Lee mentioned.
The suspect allegedly verbally assaulted the worker, “then produced a firearm and pistol-whipped the worker after which fled the placement,” Lee mentioned.
“The worker at Little Caesars was in a position to establish the getaway automobile by make and mannequin, colour and license plate,” Lee mentioned.
Deputy Fernando Esqueda noticed the suspect’s automobile, Lee mentioned. Esqueda then “had a telephone dialog with one of many different detectives to let him know he did have the suspect automobile in sight,” Lee mentioned.
Whereas on the telephone, “our deputy apparently was ambushed” and shot a number of occasions, Lee mentioned.
Different detectives rushed Esqueda to the hospital the place he died from his accidents, Lee mentioned.
The 28-year-old was a five-year veteran of the division, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez mentioned.
He was a “member of a really elite activity power, the violent individuals activity power,” Lee mentioned.
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“None of us are ever ready for such an premature dying and our members want your prayers and help,” the sheriff wrote on social media. “Our ideas are along with his household as they arrive to phrases with this horrible information. An lively investigation is underway to establish and apprehend his killer. We is not going to relaxation till we do!”
The sheriff mentioned Ronnie Palmer has been recognized as an individual of curiosity.
“There’s an lively seek for Palmer,” Gonzalez mentioned. “Please name us now: don’t support or help him, or YOU can face critical penalties for doing so. We would like a protected decision.”
Pressing! Assist us find Ronnie Palmer (10-17-79). Palmer is needed for an Aggravated Assault that occurred on July 10, 2024, at 15634 Wallisville in East Harris County. He’s additionally an individual of curiosity within the Capital Homicide of a Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy. If you happen to
1/2 pic.twitter.com/Cl3aRW7RH8— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) July 11, 2024
Lee famous the slaying comes as “all people’s on edge” within the Houston space, with greater than 1 million nonetheless with out energy within the state in the wake of Hurricane Beryl, which struck on Monday.
Gunman at large after ambushing, killing deputy following assault on pizza worker over wrong order: Officials initially appeared on abcnews.go.com
