Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced that state authorities are joining the manhunt for the person of interest in the ambush shooting of a Houston-area deputy overnight after officers responded to a call from a Little Caesar’s restaurant worker who said they had been pistol-whipped by an irate customer.
Authorities in and around Houston are on the hunt for Ronnie Palmer, 44, in connection with the line of duty death of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Fernando Esqueda. He was last seen wearing a black jersey bearing the text “Bel-Air Academy” and wearing shorts with a towel over his shoulder.
The deputy, who was 28 years old and a five-year veteran of the force, was shot and killed early Thursday, and a manhunt is underway for Palmer, who is considered a person of interest in the shooting and is also wanted for an aggravated assault at the Little Caesar’s pizzeria where the initial incident occurred.
Backup arrived to find Esqueda’s vehicle riddled with bullet holes on the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail around 1 a.m. Thursday. He had been shot multiple times and succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez described Esqueda as a member of a very elite task force that hunts down some of the most egregious criminals every day, and vowed to bring the killer to justice.
Texas Gov. Abbott expressed his support for local law enforcement and vowed that violence against officers will never be tolerated in Texas. State troopers and special agents are assisting in the manhunt for Palmer.
Authorities are urging residents to use caution and be vigilant as the manhunt continues, and are asking anyone with information on Palmer’s whereabouts to contact Houston Crime Stoppers for a $5,000 reward.
The community is mourning the loss of Deputy Esqueda, and his family, loved ones, and colleagues are in need of prayers and support during this difficult time.
