Robert Soliz, the man who was found not guilty of shooting and killing a Houston police officer in 2020 during a road rage incident, was sentenced to five years in prison for another crime.

A jury has found Robert Soliz, the 26-year-old man accused of shooting and killing a Houston police officer in 2020, not guilty of murder.

The trial for the man accused of killing Houston Police Sgt. Sean Rios during a road rage incident on the North Freeway is on hold for two weeks.

Opening statements began Tuesday in the trial for a man accused of killing a Houston police sergeant.

Some of the Houston-area’s most notorious crimes will be the focus of major trials this year – including the senseless shooting death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes and the horrific drowning deaths of siblings Oralyn and Kayana Thomas, whose bodies were found in a crawlspace underneath their neighbor’s home.

HOUSTON – The man accused of shooting and killing Houston Police Sgt. Sean Rios, 47, in November of last year faced a judge Thursday morning. Roberto Soliz Soliz is facing several charges. RELATED: Man accused of killing HPD Sgt. Sean Rios posts bondSoliz was the first to appear in court Thursday where a judge went over the 24-year-old’s bond conditions, part of which includes house arrest with a GPS monitor.

Here are things to know for Wednesday, March 17:1. AdSurrounded by several members of the Houston Police Department, Acevedo said he wanted everyone to understand how he came to the decision to leave Houston. “I decided to take the Miami position because Miami is a world-class city like Houston,” Acevedo said. The wholesale electricity retailer, which has recently been forced out of the market, charged a $9.99 monthly fee and, in turn, passed along wholesale prices to customers. When wholesale energy bill prices skyrocketed during the storm as temperatures plunged below freezing, Griddy customers were subject to the same costs with no buffer.

HOUSTON – A man accused of killing a Houston police sergeant during a shootout along the North Freeway on Nov. 9, 2020, has posted bond, according to multiple sources. Robert Soliz, 24, was arrested during a traffic stop along Interstate 10 Katy Freeway a day after the fatal shooting. Sean Rios, 47, a 25-year veteran of the Houston Police Department. The chief said Rios was on his way to work when the shootout happened. AdREAD: Houston police sergeant killed during shootout along North Freeway, chief saysCourt Records show Soliz has been arrested numerous times, dating back to 2014.

HOUSTON – A “person of extreme interest” in connection with a November’s shootout that killed a Houston police sergeant was taken into custody Monday on two unrelated charges, according to documents. The suspect, 24-year-old Jason Vazquez, appeared in court Tuesday. Houston police said detectives sought 24-year-old Jason Vazquez to question him about the Nov. 9 death of Houston Police Department Sgt. Vazquez is being held at the Harris County Jail for two DWI charges from September 2019. Police said they believe Rios was trying to intervene in an earlier exchange of gunfire between two vehicles on the freeway when he was killed.

HOUSTON – The attorney of a man accused in the shooting of a Houston police sergeant sent a formal request to turn the investigation into the shooting over to the Texas Rangers. Soliz is charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Houston Police Department Sgt. Jurisdictions all over the country, and especially here in Texas, routinely turn officer involved shooting cases over to outside agencies, which in Texas means the Texas Rangers. There is no downside to turning this case over to the Texas Rangers. There is no downside to turning this case over to the Texas Rangers.

An Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist, Amanda Cochran is a Houston transplant from New York City who has embraced her new city with both arms -- living and breathing news and all things Texas.

HOUSTON – Police on Tuesday identified a “person of extreme interest” who is being sought in connection with the shootout that killed a Houston police sergeant last week. Houston police said detectives want to question 24-year-old Jason Vazquez in connection with the Nov. 9 death of Houston Police Department Sgt. Investigators said Vazquez, who has not been charged in the shooting, was seen talking to 24-year-old Robert Soliz Jr., who has been charged with murder in connection with the case, after the shooting. Police said they believe Rios was trying to intervene in an earlier exchange of gunfire between two vehicles on the freeway when he was killed. Anyone with information about Vazquez’s whereabouts or the case is asked to call Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-8477.

Take a look at some of the most significant Houston-area events and stories happening in the week ahead. Sean Rios, a 25-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, will be laid to rest after his funeral Wednesday. Harris County Public Health will conduct a survey to continue studies on the COVID-19 pandemic. “In an effort to better understand how many people in Harris County may have already been infected with COVID-19, officials with Harris County Public Health (HCPH) will be conducting a survey of randomly selected homes,” Harris County Public Health stated in a release. METROLift will transport individuals with disabilities to select sites within the Houston area, where they can receive a free flu vaccine given by TIRR Memorial Hermann clinical staff.

HOUSTON – A witness to Monday’s deadly shootout that killed a Houston police sergeant described the scene to KPRC 2 during an exclusive interview Friday. “They both began pointing their guns at each other and I heard shots,” said the witness. Soliz was ducking, dodging and shooting behind plants, while the sergeant fired shots from the fence pole, according to the witness. “So he would give sergeant Rios the okay to look around, get an aim or take a shot,” said the witness. When the witness got back up, sergeant Rios was running towards the motel.

HOUSTON – A veteran Houston police sergeant who was fatally shot last week while trying to intervene during a shootout was remembered Wednesday as a leader who dedicated his life to his family and community. Family and friends attended a funeral service for Sean Rios, 47, at a Houston church. Police Chief Art Acevedo has said investigators believe Rios saw the shootout and was killed trying to intervene when he was shot. During the funeral service, Acevedo said Rios’ decision to try to stop the shootout was an example of his dedication to helping others. Rios was the second Houston officer to be killed in the past four weeks and the fourth since last December.

HOUSTON – The suspect charged with the murder of Sgt. A judge increased his bond to now include two new charges of aggravated assault. On Monday, prosecutors said witnesses saw Soliz, who is an alleged gang member, and Sgt. Witnesses said Soliz sped away in his Mercedes, along with another man in a black pickup truck. The judge set the bond at $100,000 for each of the new charges.

HOUSTON – The body of a fallen HPD Sgt. Sean Rios was escorted to a funeral home Thursday morning. A procession started and 10:30 a.m. Thursday and escort Rios' body from the Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences to the Peevey Funeral Home at 12440 Beamer Rd. One of the men charged with murder in connection to Rios' death appeared in court Wednesday. Details for Rios' funeral have not yet been announced, but HPD expects those details to become available soon.

Robert Soliz, 24, was arrested Tuesday and charged with murder in connection with Monday’s slaying of HPD Sgt. Looney said that while he was driving on Interstate 10 Katy Freeway, he was surrounded by a fleet of law enforcement vehicles that forced him to pull over. Looney said that action indicates that HPD is not the agency that should be investigating the case. “Whenever you are that close to the situation, your emotions run hot and your logic runs short,” Looney said. He said he believes Soliz is innocent of murder and that Soliz and Rios never encountered each other before Monday.

Robert Soliz, 24, appeared before a judge around 4 p.m. Wednesday where his bond was set at $500,000. READ MORE: 1 arrested, 1 sought in slaying of HPD sergeant along North FreewaySoliz has been charged with murder in connection with the death of HPD Sgt. Booking photo of Robert Soliz, 24, now charged in connection with the fatal shooting of HPD Sergeant Sean Rios. Soliz’s most recent arrest came in February when he was arrested carrying a handgun in a motor vehicle. Police released surveillance video and images Tuesday of a second “person of extreme interest” being sought in connection with the case.

HOUSTON – Members of the Houston Police Department came out to show their support for fallen Houston police Sgt. Sean Rios' family at his son’s football game Tuesday night. The sergeant was killed Monday afternoon during a shootout along the North Freeway in Houston, according to HPD Chief Art Acevedo. Rios, 47, was a 25-year veteran of the Houston Police Department, Acevedo said. Rios' son, Tristan, number 82, plays football for Brabham Middle School in Willis Independent School District.

HOUSTON – The number of homicides reported in Houston this year is the highest since at least 2015. Data from the Houston Police Department showed the number of homicides reported in 2020 in the city is at 345. Joe Gamaldi, of the Houston Police Officers Union, said 2020′s number is approaching the most homicides in two decades -- 377 were reported in 2005. Over the past six years, the lowest number of homicides reported in Houston was 269 in 2017. There’s no question about that.”“When you look at the numbers this year, the numbers are exponentially higher,” Turner added.

HOUSTON – One person has been arrested Tuesday and another person is being sought in connection with the slaying of a Houston police sergeant killed during a shootout along the North Freeway. Houston police Chief Art Acevedo said Robert Soliz, 24, was arrested during a traffic stop along Interstate 10 Katy Freeway. Soliz has been charged with murder in connection with the death of HPD Sgt. Sean Rios, Acevedo said. Acevedo also released surveillance video and images of a second “person of extreme interest” in connection with the case.

Here are things to know for Tuesday, Nov. 10:1. 6 killed in string of Houston homicides MondaySix people were killed in a string of homicides that were reported Monday in Houston. Greg Abbott avoided acknowledging former Vice President Joe Biden’s victory and said the process of vote counting and recounts should play out. Vice President-elect Harris has inspired women to dream and attain it with her historic election win. According to the document, Luhnow was signed to a contract that guaranteed him more than $31 million through 2025.

HOUSTON – The death of a Houston police sergeant Monday marks the fourth line-of-duty death for the Houston Police Department since December. Sean Rios is seen in this duty photo provided by the Houston Police Department on Nov. 9, 2020. Sean Rios died after being hit by gunfire during a shootout along the North Freeway on Nov. 9, 2020. Elmer Manzano is charged with capital murder and attempted capital murder in connection with the case. Arturo Solis has been charged with capital murder in connection with Brewster’s death.

HOUSTON – Houston police Sgt. Sean Rios was killed Monday afternoon during a shootout along the North Freeway in Houston, according to HPD Chief Art Acevedo. According to the Houston Police Officers Union, Rios served in the Marines. Sean Rios (Houston Police Officers Union)Sgt. Sean Rios (Houston Police Officers Union)

HOUSTON – A Houston police sergeant was killed Monday during a shootout along the North Freeway, according to Houston police chief Art Acevedo. The shooting was reported about 1:30 p.m. on the outbound side feeder road of Interstate 45 North Freeway near the Little York Road exit. Sean Rios, 47, a 25-year veteran of HPD, engaged someone in a gun battle. Rios' death marks the fifth homicide in Houston on Monday. Acevedo said Rios' death also marks the fourth line-of-duty death for the Houston Police Department since December.