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 call from a Little Ceasar’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.
Authorities are urging residents to use caution and be vigilant as the manhunt continues.
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The deputy was 28 years old and a five-year veteran of the force, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wrote on X, adding that he was personally in the field as part of the manhunt.
Palmer is considered a person of interest in the shooting and is also wanted for an aggravated assault at a Little Ceasar’s pizzeria on Wallisville Road in East Harris County.
An enraged customer at the pizza place allegedly pistol whipped a worker and fled. As authorities searched for the suspect in that case, Esqueda was ambushed while on the phone with another detective, authorities said Thursday.
Backup arrived found and 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.
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Esqueda was a member of “a very elite task force,” Chief Deputy Mike Lee told reporters.
“This group, every day, goes out and hunts down child rapists, homicide suspects, some of the most egregious criminals out there and that’s what they do every day for a living,” Lee said. “And he was very good at his job. Very well thought of.”
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Fellow deputies rushed him to the hospital in a patrol vehicle in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries.
Abbott vowed the state’s full support to local police as they seek the gunman.
“Whenever our law enforcement officers put on the badge, they are selflessly risking their lives,” he said in a statement. “Violence against law enforcement officers will never be tolerated in Texas.”
He said state troopers and special agents were assisting in the manhunt.
“Please join Cecilia and me in prayer for Deputy Esqueda’s family, loved ones, and the entire Harris County community,” he added.
Authorities are asking anyone with information on Palmer’s whereabouts to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). There is a $5,000 reward for information in the case.
“None of us are ever prepared for such an untimely death and our members need your prayers and support,” Gonzalez said. “Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with this horrible news.”
He vowed to bring the killer to justice.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Pritchett and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
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