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Texas authorities captured a person of interest sought in the ambush murder of a Houston-area deputy who was gunned down while searching for a suspect who investigators say pistol whipped a Little Caesars restaurant worker early Thursday morning.
"Our hearts are heavy. He was an amazing young man taken far too soon. He loved being a cop, and he leaves behind a tremendous void," Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Thursday evening during a press conference.
Law enforcement in and around Harris County were on the hunt for Ronald "Ronnie" Palmer Jr., 44, in connection with the line of duty death of local Sheriff's Deputy Fernando Esqueda.
"We don't know what transpired and are still trying to put the pieces together. Palmer has not yet been charged, but he has been taken into custody without incident. It's been a very difficult day in our community," Gonzalez continued.
TEXAS MANHUNT UNDERWAY AFTER DETECTIVE IS FATALLY AMBUSHED, SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS
Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Fernando Esqueda in uniform in front of a US flag in this portrait provided by the sheriff. Esqueda was shot and killed early Thursday and a manhunt is underway for a person of interest. (Harris County Sheriff)
The deputy was 28 years old and a five-year veteran of the force, Gonzalez wrote on X, adding that he was personally in the field as part of the manhunt.
Palmer is considered a person of interest in the shooting and is also wanted for an aggravated assault at the Little Caesars pizzeria on Wallisville Road in East Harris County.
During Thursday night's update, Gonzalez said police are still investigating if there were other individuals involved.
An enraged customer at the pizza place allegedly pistol whipped a worker and fled. As authorities searched for the suspect in that case, Esqueda was ambushed while on the phone with another detective, authorities said Thursday.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office was "urgently" seeking information on Ronald "Ronnie" Palmer Jr., who authorities wanted on aggravated assault charges and is a person of interest in the murder of Deputy Fernando Esqueda. Authorities describe him as "heavy-set and tall." He has tattoos on both arms and his hair styled in dreadlocks. The photo on the left shows him at a Little Caesars restaurant shortly before the murder Thursday. The image on the right was taken on bodycam during an encounter with deputies on July 8. (Harris County Sheriff's Office)
Backup arrived found and Esqueda's vehicle riddled with bullet holes on the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail around 1 a.m. Thursday.
He had been shot multiple times.
SUSPECT KILLED AFTER STANDOFF FOLLOWING OHIO OFFICER'S DEATH
Ronnie Palmer has been identified as a person of interest in the murder and is wanted in connection with an assault. Authorities released this image earlier Thursday but later sent out newer photos that show him with long hair styled in dreadlocks. (Harris County Sheriff)
Esqueda was a member of "a very elite task force," Chief Deputy Mike Lee told reporters.
"This group, every day, goes out and hunts down child rapists, homicide suspects, some of the most egregious criminals out there and that's what they do every day for a living," Lee said. "And he was very good at his job. Very well thought of."
REMEMBERING POLICE OFFICERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES ON DUTY LAST YEAR
Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez speaks to the media on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Houston, regarding the line-of-duty death of Deputy John Hampton Coddou. On Thursday, he announced the death of yet another deputy, Fernando Esqueda, and announced a manhunt for a person of interest in the case. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Fellow deputies rushed him to the hospital in a patrol vehicle in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott vowed the state's full support to local police as they seek the gunman.
"Whenever our law enforcement officers put on the badge, they are selflessly risking their lives," he said in a statement. "Violence against law enforcement officers will never be tolerated in Texas."
He said state troopers and special agents were assisting in the manhunt.
Harris County Sheriff's Office Chief Deputy Mike Lee said the 28-year-old detective was "apparently ambushed" after locating what he believed to be the vehicle belonging to an aggravated assault suspect. (Harris County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)
"Please join Cecilia and me in prayer for Deputy Esqueda’s family, loved ones, and the entire Harris County community," he added.
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Authorities are asking anyone with information on this investigation to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477). There is a $5,000 reward for information in the case.
"None of us are ever prepared for such an untimely death and our members need your prayers and support," Gonzalez said. "Our thoughts are with his family as they come to terms with this horrible news."
He vowed to bring the killer to justice.
Fox News' Elizabeth Pritchett, Stepheny Price, and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
