HOUSTON – Two alleged robbery suspects were fatally shot in a possible jugging in east Houston on Wednesday, the Houston Police Department said.
Police were called to the scene in the 1700 block of South Sgt. Macario Garcia Drive around 11:10 a.m. due to what they initially called “a robbery gone wrong.”
Officers said when they arrived at the scene, they found two men dead.
Police then spoke to a business owner, who said he had just come from a bank. The business owner returned to the location, parked in the parking lot, got out of the vehicle and began to enter the business, Sgt. C. Hatcher said. As the man walked into the business, Hatcher said he was hit on the back of the head by an unknown object. When he turned around, he allegedly saw two masked men who were wearing gloves. The business owner then discharged a firearm, Hatcher said.
One of the employees at the business reportedly heard the commotion and began shooting as well. Police didn’t specify if the business owner or employee actually killed the suspects.
Hatcher said a third suspect was in a black, newer model Lincoln Navigator with the license plate number NSY0559. When the shooting began, the suspect fled the scene, HPD said.
Homicide detectives are investigating and the Houston Forensic Science Center collected evidence at the scene.
“I do want to appeal to anyone who’s watching to please consider your actions, consider your decisions because choices have consequences,” Hatcher said. “Unfortunately, the suspects here, I would believe have loved ones who will now be grieving their loss, but again, choices have consequences. We don’t ever advocate violence or crime but our citizens do have the right to defend themselves and choices have consequences. Crime does not always pay.”
Hatcher said the business owner is fine but shaken and concerned after the incident. Police believe he was followed from the bank back to the business.
“His business has been robbed in the past, so this is a traumatic experience for anyone who is involved in something like this,” Hatcher said.
Police will present the case to a grand jury to determine what charges should be filed against the fleeing suspect.
Anyone with information on the fleeing suspect or the vehicle the suspect was in is urged to contact HPD’s Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or contact Crime Stoppers by calling 713-222-TIPS (8477), submitting an online tip at www.crime-stoppers.org or through the Crime Stoppers mobile app for a cash payment of up to $5,000.
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