HOUSTON – Harris County Sheriff's investigators arrested a security guard after detectives said he shot and killed his replacement.
Both men worked for Texas Pioneer Control and provided security for businesses in a strip shopping center on West Road at Veterans Memorial.
"The suspect in this case was terminated a couple weeks ago and continued to show up for work and collecting money and going home," said Sergeant Robert Spurgeon.
Spurgeon said the owner of a restaurant finally told the one guard he couldn't work there anymore because he had been terminated. Spurgeon said the guard opened fire on the other guard when he showed up and confirmed the firing. The suspect waited for deputies to arrive after the shooting and arrest him, Spurgeon said. Investigators have not yet released the name of either man.
"Did he kill his replacement essentially?" asked Local 2 Investigator Robert Arnold.
"That's what it sounds like at this point, yes," said Spurgeon.
Patrons who frequent the businesses in this strip center said both guards were familiar faces and well liked.
"They both came here to do a job, which was to secure this place to make sure every body was safe and sound. And to come out here and see one in the car and one on the ground... It's a very shocking disappointment," said Sharon B.
Local 2 tried to speak with officials at Texas Pioneer Control but received no callback.