2 SORRY LOOKING NEGROS: "Hispanic Texas Deputy" Dies in Shootout With 3 CONFIRMED BLACK Suspected Catalytic Converter Thieves

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Texas Deputy Dies in Shootout With Suspected Catalytic Converter Thieves​


The deputy and his wife were buying supplies to celebrate his sister's birthday party when he was fatally shot, sheriff says​

By Brian Roth • Published 5 hours ago • Updated 2 hours ago​

A Houston-area sheriff's deputy died Thursday night after he was shot during a confrontation with a group of people who were attempting to steal his catalytic converter, law enforcement officials say.

KPRC-TV in Houston reports Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Almendarez was at a grocery store with his wife when he noticed three people who appeared to be stealing catalytic converters.

According to KPRC, Almendarez told his wife to run before he confronted the group in the store's parking lot. The men pulled their guns on the Almendarez and opened fire.

Almendarez, 51, shot back but was struck by a bullet, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he later died.

Two suspects drove themselves to the same hospital and were treated for gunshot wounds, KPRC reported. Deputies told the news outlet that a third suspect remains at-large.

No other injuries were reported.
Gonzalez said Almendarez and his wife were at the grocery store getting supplies to celebrate his sister's birthday.

"[He's] really a hero because as all of this unfolded he had the mindset to make sure he was protecting his wife," Gonzalez said. "He told his wife to run, to get away from danger, as he put himself in harm's way to protect the rest of the community as he tried to stop the crime.

Almendarez was a 23-year veteran of the Harris County Sheriff's Office and was assigned to the Auto Theft Task Force, Gonzalez said.

“This is tragic. You know, we’re tired of this crime in our community,” Gonzalez said. “We’re tired that people aren’t even safe to go out to the grocery store. This is a cop. This is a cop that’s just out with his family. It could be any one of us-- And it happened to be him. That’s unacceptable and we’ve said it time and time again, and I just don’t know what else to say.”
 
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Crime

Two suspects charged with capital murder in shooting death of Deputy Darren Almendarez​


Deputy Darren Almendarez died after he was wounded during a shootout with the men who were trying to steal a catalytic converter, authorities said.




Author: Jaime E. Galvan

Published: 12:48 PM CDT April 1, 2022

Updated: 4:30 PM CDT April 1, 2022

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HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — Two men have been charged in connection with the shooting death of an off-duty sheriff’s deputy who authorities said confronted them as they tried to steal a catalytic converter from his truck.

According to the sheriff’s office, Joshua Stewart, 23, and Fredarius Clark, 19, have both been charged with capital murder in the shooting death of Deputy Darren Almendarez. A third male suspect, who is described as a 17- to 19-year-old Black male with a medium complexion and braided hair, is being sought for questioning.

Investigators said Deputy Almendarez died after he was wounded during a shootout with the men who he confronted Thursday night.

According to investigators, the incident happened just after 8:30 p.m. outside of the Joe V’s grocery store in the 2900 block of FM 1960 in north Harris County. Almendarez and his wife were shopping at the store.

RELATED: Off-duty HCSO deputy shot, killed while trying to stop suspects from stealing catalytic converter, sheriff says

As the couple left the store, the deputy spotted a black, four-door, Nissan Altima backed up to his pickup truck and two men underneath the vehicle. Investigators said Deputy Almendarez told his wife to seek safety as he approached the vehicle.

That is when the men opened fire on the deputy, the sheriff’s office said. Deputy Almendarez was able to return fire, wounding two of the men.

The suspects sped off from the parking lot after being wounded, investigators said.

Deputy Almendarez was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

RELATED: HCSO Deputy Darren Almendarez remembered as fighter and warrior with a 'stellar' 23-year career

The sheriff’s office said Stewart and Clark arrived at the same hospital in the suspect vehicle a short time later. Both men had gunshot wounds and were still in the hospital Friday.

Anyone with information about the murder of Deputy Almendarez is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Unit at 713-274-9100 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.
 

2 suspects identified, charged in murder of Harris County deputy; third suspect still on run​


By FOX 26 Staff

Published April 1, 2022 12:42PM

Updated 1:52PM



Fredarius Clark and Joshua Stewart
article

Fredarius Clark (L) and Joshua Stewart (R) are charged with Capital Murder in the death of veteran Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Darren Almendarez.

HOUSTON - The two suspects in custody for the murder of a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy have been identified.

Joshua Stewart and Fredarius Clark have been charged with Capital Murder in the shooting death of Deputy Darren Almendarez.

Deputy Almendarez was gunned down outside a grocery store Thursday night, while he was off-duty.

Investigation underway after an off-duty HCSO deputy was shot​


FOX 26 Reporter Randy Wallace has details from the scene after a Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy was shot in a grocery store parking lot on Thursday night. (Editor's note: This is from an earlier report.)

He approached three suspects, two who were under his truck in the parking lot, and was greeted with gunfire. Dep. Almendarez, 51, was able to return fire, hitting at least two of the suspects, despite being shot multiple times.

The suspects drove off at a high speed.

Dep. Almendarez, a 23-year veteran of HCSO, was transported to Houston Northwest Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Fallen-Harris-County-Deputy-Darren-Almendarez.jpg



Stewart, 23, and Clark, 19, arrived at the same hospital in the suspect vehicle a short time later, with gunshot wounds.

A third male, who is described as a 17 to 19-year-old black male with a medium complexion and braided hair is being sought for questioning.
 
UPDATE: Third suspect arrested in Texas deputy's murder; Gov. Abbot calls for death penalty
A third suspect has been arrested in connection to the fatal Thursday shooting of Texas Deputy Darren Almendarez, who is being remembered as "a remarkable man," according to authorities. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially announced the arrests of Joshua Stewart, 23, and Fredarius Clark, 19, on Friday evening. He later announced the arrest of a 17-year-old male suspect. All three suspects face capital murder charges.

Gonzalez described Almendarez, 51, as "a remarkable man and public servant" in a Friday tweet." A third suspect has been arrested in connection to the fatal Thursday shooting of Texas Deputy Darren Almendarez, who is being remembered as "a remarkable man," according to authorities. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez initially announced the arrests of Joshua Stewart, 23, and Fredarius Clark, 19, on Friday evening. He later announced the arrest of a 17-year-old male suspect. All three suspects face capital murder charges.

Gonzalez described Almendarez, 51, as "a remarkable man and public servant" in a Friday tweet." Almendarez was out buying groceries with his wife for his sister's birthday party. While exiting Joe V's Smart Shop, he apparently spotted the three suspects "attempting to steal his truck's catalytic converter," Gonzalez tweeted.

The suspects had backed their Nissan up to Almendarez's truck, and the off-duty deputy then spotted two of the suspects beneath his vehicle. Almendarez told his wife to go somewhere safe and approached the suspect vehicle, which by then had three people inside, authorities said. Suspsects allegedly fired at the Almendarez as he approached the vehicle, and Almendarez was struck multiple times. The deputy managed to return fire and shot at least two suspects, who then fled the parking lot. Authorities transported Almendarez to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
 
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