Two men charged with shooting death of off-duty Texas deputy in grocery store parking lot

Two males have been charged within the taking pictures loss of life of an off-duty Texas deputy who was gunned down after leaving a grocery retailer Thursday evening and a 3rd male is being sought, authorities mentioned Friday. 

Joshua Stewart, 23, and Fredarius Clark, 19, are each charged with capital homicide in reference to the loss of life of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Almendarez.

The deputy had simply come out of a Joe V’s Good Store together with his spouse when he noticed a Nissan Altima backed as much as his truck and two males beneath the truck, the Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace mentioned. 

“Presumably a catalytic converter that was being stolen,” Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez mentioned at a information convention Thursday evening. “We’re undecided. These particulars are nonetheless being investigated. However, he intervened. He intervened to attempt to cease a criminal offense.”

Almendarez, 51, informed his spouse to go someplace secure and he approached the suspect car, which by then had three folks inside, authorities mentioned.

Harris County Deputy Darren Almendarez was shot a number of instances when he approached a suspected car that was backed as much as his truck.

Harris County Sheriffs Workplace

The #FBI sends our condolences to the household, mates, and colleagues of Senior Deputy Darren Almendarez. He served the Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace (@HCSOTexas) for 23 years—about seven of which had been spent serving on the Bureau’s Protected Avenue Activity Drive. pic.twitter.com/WRx7yjnL30

— FBI (@FBI) April 1, 2022

As he walked over, he was fired upon and struck a number of instances. The deputy managed to return fireplace and shot at the very least two suspects, 

They then fled the parking zone. Almendarez was taken to a hospital the place he later died. 

Stewart and Clark arrived at a hospital within the suspect car a short while later with gunshot wounds, authorities mentioned. A 3rd male described as between 17 and 19 years of age is being sought by investigators for questioning. 

Joshua Stewart (proper) and Fredarius Clark (proper) are charged with capital homicide for the loss of life of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Darren Almendarez.

Harris County Sheriff's Workplace

Legislation enforcement officers examine the scene the place Harris County Sheriff Darren Almendarez was killed on March 31, 2022 in Houston.

AP

Almendarez, a 23-year veteran of the sheriff’s workplace who was most just lately assigned to the auto theft division, was remembered Thursday evening as a “fighter.” He was just lately the main target of a sheriff’s workplace highlight video the place he provided steps to keep away from shopping for a stolen car and different suggestions. 

On the time of his loss of life, he had bought groceries and was planning to have a cookout to have fun his sister’s birthday Friday, Gonzalez mentioned.