Three men in Texas are dealing with capital murder charges in connection to a shooting that resulted within the dying of an off-duty sheriff’s deputy this week, authorities say.
Harris County sheriff’s deputy Darren Almendarez, 51, and his spouse have been shopping for meals at a grocery retailer Thursday night time. As the couple exited the Houston-area retailer, Almendarez noticed three men making an attempt to steal his truck’s catalytic converter.
Almendarez was shot throughout a gunfire trade with the suspects, based on tweets from Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
Following the shooting, Almendarez and two of the men have been taken to the identical hospital.
Almendarez and one of many men have been in essential situation whereas the opposite one was in severe situation, however the deputy died just a few hours later, Gonzalez mentioned.
The two wounded men recognized by police as Joshua Stewart, 23, and Fredarius Clark, 19, have been arrested on capital murder charges on the hospital, authorities mentioned Friday.
Fredrick Tardy, 17, a 3rd suspect who remained at massive following the shooting was arrested late Friday night time on capital murder charges as nicely, based on Gonzalez.
Harris County court docket data don’t checklist attorneys who may converse on behalf of Stewart, Clark or Tardy.
Almendarez was an company veteran of 23 years, serving within the auto theft unit for the previous 12 months. The company lately showcased his work within the auto theft unit in a ride-along video printed Jan. 7.
In it, Almendarez demonstrates what a day at his job appears like, and provides folks tips about find out how to keep away from shopping for a stolen automobile because the market grows for used automobiles.
“Deputy Darren Almendarez lost his life while answering the call to serve and protect his fellow Texans, and this tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make both on and off duty,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott mentioned in a press release Friday. “The State of Texas is ready to provide all resources necessary to bring justice to the family and loved ones of Deputy Almendarez.”