Man, 57, commits suicide after shooting juveniles during road-rage incident, police say

Ernest Milligan

GALVESTON, Texas – A 57-year-old man killed himself after firing 13 rounds at a vehicle during a road-rage incident in Galveston on Aug. 11, according to police.

Around 7:25 p.m., three juveniles (one girl and two boys) were in a white Mazda when a green Plymouth, driven by Ernest Milligan, quickly pulled in front of them and slammed his brakes, causing a collision, according to police.

Recommended Videos



Both vehicles pulled over to the side of the road in the 4900 block of Ave J and all four people got out of the vehicles, police said.

During a verbal altercation, Milligan pushed the female driver of the Mazda, according to police. A "shoving match" broke out between the two boys and Milligan. Milligan then said, "I've got something for you," and went back to his vehicle where he retrieved a .40 caliber Glock handgun, according to police. The juveniles retreated to the Mazda, police said.

Milligan fired 13 rounds into the Mazda, striking the two boys. They were taken to the hospital. One was stable and the other was in critical condition. At the time of this story, both juveniles are stable.

Milligan left the scene before police arrived, but a witness followed him and was able to take a photo of the vehicle and license plate of the Plymouth that Milligan was driving, police said.

Investigators were able to use the photos to obtain a warrant for Milligan.

Milligan was found by authorities around 3 p.m. Saturday in the parking garage at a local hospital. He was dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to investigators. He was sitting in the vehicle involved in the road-rage altercation. A .40 caliber Glock handgun was found in the vehicle, according to police.

The Galveston Police Department is no longer looking for a suspect in this case and they are working to confirm the gun found in Milligan's vehicle was the same weapon used in the shooting at the scene of the road-rage incident.

Download the Click2Houston news app in your app store to stay up-to-date with the latest news while you're on the go.

Sign up for KPRC 2 newsletters to get breaking news, sports, entertainment, contests and more delivered straight to your email inbox.