HOUSTON -- Two people charged connection with a police officer's death appeared in court on Thursday, KPRC Local 2 reported.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office has charged Andres Nava-Maldonado, 41, and Xiomara Mendez-Rosales, 36, with capital murder in the death of Houston police Senior Officer Henry Canales.

Nava-Maldonado told Houston police he was from Mexico and Mendez-Rosales claimed to be from Honduras. There is evidence that they are in the United States illegally, officials said.

Police said the law allows for Nava-Maldonado and Mendez-Rosales to be charged because they were allegedly at the scene, even if there is no evidence that they pulled the trigger.

The district attorney's office identified Canales' killer as 37-year-old Roberto Pedroza Carillo, who was also allegedly in the country illegally. Investigators said he fired 10 rounds at officers before an officer fatally shot him.

The shooting happened in the parking lot of a shopping center on Bellaire Boulevard near Hillcroft Street at about 9 p.m. Tuesday. Canales and other undercover officers were there to meet with four people who allegedly wanted to buy stolen TVs.

Police said that after money was exchanged, Carillo pulled out a gun.

Canales suffered at least one gunshot wound and collapsed at the scene. He was rushed to Ben Taub Hospital, where he died.

A second officer, R. Lopez, was handcuffing Carillo when he fired more shots, police said.

"As he's doing that (handcuffing), the suspect reaches back and he fires, we believe at least two more times, toward that second undercover officer," HPD spokesman Victor Senties said. "He's not hit. That officer fires his weapon at least once. The suspect was pronounced dead at the scene."

Detectives said the other three people tried to get away, but were arrested a short time later. One of those was a female juvenile, investigators said.

Nava-Maldonado and Mendez-Rosales are being held in the Harris County Jail without bond. Investigators have not said if the juvenile arrested will face any charges.

Canales Loved Racing

People who knew Canales well said the sound of an engine revving was pure joy for him. He loved to bring his race cars to Baytown Raceway Park, where he spent weekends racing with his two children, 15-year-old Henry Jr. and 17-year-old Stephanie.

"He was one of a kind," said Precinct 6 Lt. Glenn Ellis, a fellow racer. "A very dedicated father and husband. Racing was passion, but the No. 1 priority was always his family."

Canales and fellow members of law enforcement were part of a program called Beat the Heat, which aimed to teach kids to turn away from illegal street racing and bring their cars to places like the raceway.

"Officer Canales was trying to make a difference," said Ellis.

He tried to make a difference on the job, too, working as a Houston police officer since 1993. For the past seven years, he tracked down car thieves as far away as Mexico as an undercover officer on the auto theft squad.

"He was a very good undercover officer," HPD Officers Union President Gary Blankenship said. "He put a lot of bad guys in jail during his career."

Funeral Service Finalized

Canales' funeral service will be held on Monday at 9:30 a.m. at Grace Community Church, 14505 Gulf Freeway. A private burial service will follow.

A public visitation will be held at the church from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday.