Authorities in Houston have charged a suspect with capital murder after an off-duty deputy was fatally shot overnight, a sheriff’s official confirmed on Thursday evening.
The suspect, identified as Ronnie Palmer, was also accused of aggravated assault following an incident at a Little Caesars pizza shop.
The events unfolded around 10 p.m. on Wednesday when deputies responded to an aggravated assault at the Little Caesars, according to Harris County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Lee.
“The suspect entered the location to pick up a pizza he had ordered,” Lee said. “He became upset because the order was wrong.”
Lee explained that the suspect verbally abused an employee, then took out a gun and hit the employee with it before fleeing.
“The employee managed to identify the suspect’s car,” Lee added.
Deputy Fernando Esqueda spotted the car, according to Lee. During a phone call with another detective, Esqueda was ambushed and shot multiple times.
Esqueda, 28, died shortly after arriving at the hospital. He had served for five years and was part of a specialized task force.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez expressed deep regret, noting Esqueda’s potential and dedication to his work.
Palmer had been sought in connection with the assault at Little Caesars and was a person of interest in Esqueda’s murder, Gonzalez had previously stated.