Hidalgo County Deputies Involved in High-Speed Chase and Officer-Involved Shooting in Weslaco
Hidalgo County deputies pursued a vehicle from a suspected drug house, resulting in an officer-involved shooting after the SUV crashed near Mile 13 in Weslaco.
Published October 3, 2024
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Weslaco that occurred following a high-speed chase. The incident unfolded early Monday morning when deputies attempted to stop an SUV leaving a suspected drug house under surveillance.
High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Crash
The chase began around 9 a.m. when HCSO deputies tried to pull over the SUV near Weslaco. Instead of complying, the driver accelerated, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended abruptly when the vehicle lost control and rolled over near Mile 13.
As deputies approached the crashed SUV, they reported hearing sounds resembling gunshots coming from inside the vehicle.
Officer-Involved Shooting
“The deputies were approaching the vehicle when they heard what sounded like gunshots, so the deputy again was on high alert,” said Sheriff Eddie Guerra.
With the situation escalating rapidly, one of the deputies ordered the passenger to show his hands. The passenger exited the vehicle but did not comply with commands, prompting the deputy to discharge his weapon. The passenger was shot in the leg and subsequently taken into custody along with the driver.
Both individuals, who have not yet been identified, were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Upon their release, they will face multiple charges, including evading arrest, resisting arrest, and assault on a peace officer.
Investigation Underway
Sheriff Guerra stated that investigators are still working to confirm whether the sounds deputies heard were actual gunshots. The HCSO Officer-Involved Shooting Team will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine what occurred in the moments leading up to the shooting.
“As the deputy approached the vehicle, he heard what he believed to be gunshots. We will conduct a full investigation to identify if these sounds were indeed gunshots or something else,” Guerra explained.
Deputy Placed on Administrative Leave
As per protocol, the deputy who fired their weapon has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. Sheriff Guerra assured the public that a comprehensive review of the incident would be conducted and that details could change as the case unfolds.
Community Concerns and Safety
The incident has raised concerns among Weslaco residents, as it involved a chase stemming from a suspected drug house and ended in an officer-involved shooting. Local authorities are urging the community to stay informed as more details are released.
Conclusion
The investigation is ongoing, and the HCSO is committed to providing transparency as more information becomes available. Both suspects will be arraigned once they are released from the hospital. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office will continue gathering evidence to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the shooting.
The Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) is investigating an officer-involved shooting in Weslaco that occurred following a high-speed chase. The incident unfolded early Monday morning when deputies attempted to stop an SUV leaving a suspected drug house under surveillance.
High-Speed Pursuit Ends in Crash
The chase began around 9 a.m. when HCSO deputies tried to pull over the SUV near Weslaco. Instead of complying, the driver accelerated, leading officers on a high-speed pursuit that ended abruptly when the vehicle lost control and rolled over near Mile 13.
As deputies approached the crashed SUV, they reported hearing sounds resembling gunshots coming from inside the vehicle.
Officer-Involved Shooting
“The deputies were approaching the vehicle when they heard what sounded like gunshots, so the deputy again was on high alert,” said Sheriff Eddie Guerra.
With the situation escalating rapidly, one of the deputies ordered the passenger to show his hands. The passenger exited the vehicle but did not comply with commands, prompting the deputy to discharge his weapon. The passenger was shot in the leg and subsequently taken into custody along with the driver.
Both individuals, who have not yet been identified, were transported to a local hospital for treatment. Upon their release, they will face multiple charges, including evading arrest, resisting arrest, and assault on a peace officer.
Investigation Underway
Sheriff Guerra stated that investigators are still working to confirm whether the sounds deputies heard were actual gunshots. The HCSO Officer-Involved Shooting Team will be conducting a thorough investigation to determine what occurred in the moments leading up to the shooting.
“As the deputy approached the vehicle, he heard what he believed to be gunshots. We will conduct a full investigation to identify if these sounds were indeed gunshots or something else,” Guerra explained.
Deputy Placed on Administrative Leave
As per protocol, the deputy who fired their weapon has been placed on administrative leave pending the results of the investigation. Sheriff Guerra assured the public that a comprehensive review of the incident would be conducted and that details could change as the case unfolds.
Community Concerns and Safety
The incident has raised concerns among Weslaco residents, as it involved a chase stemming from a suspected drug house and ended in an officer-involved shooting. Local authorities are urging the community to stay informed as more details are released.
Conclusion
The investigation is ongoing, and the HCSO is committed to providing transparency as more information becomes available. Both suspects will be arraigned once they are released from the hospital. Meanwhile, the sheriff’s office will continue gathering evidence to determine the exact sequence of events that led to the shooting.
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