The bullet passed inches from his daughter. A Harris County deputy shares what happened.
HOUSTON — A Harris County deputy is recovering after investigators said he was shot in a random drive-by while sleeping in his bed.
Deputy Augustine Arellano shared his story in an interview with KHOU 11 News.
“It’s been a rough road, but I’m doing good. I’m holding in,” Arellano said.
Arellano said the shooting happened April 25, when he and his family were home. He said they heard a vehicle drive by and then multiple gunshots.
“We could hear the vehicle coming down the road and then just pop, pop, pop, pop, pop … like they were close,” Arellano said.
A bullet went through the family’s bedroom, he said.
“As I picked my head up, I saw it hit me … and saw my stomach swell up. I knew I got shot,” Arellano said.
He said he saw blood and that his daughter began screaming.
Arellano said 2 of his 3 children were in the room and one was standing near a window. “We don’t know exactly where the bullet went … but it had to be within inches of where she was standing,” he said.
Arellano’s injuries included a pierced intestine and colon and a fractured spine.
The shooting came as the family was still dealing with earlier losses. Arellano said they remain displaced after a fire destroyed their home during the derecho nearly two years ago.
Arellano said their rebuild was supposed to be finished last year, but the construction company asked for additional money outside the original contract.
“It’s like … we’re gonna need 10 percent more … maybe $60,000 more,” Arellano said.
KHOU 11 reporter Trason Bragg spoke to a co-owner of DLT Construction who said the additional cost requests were due to rising material prices and upgrade requests made by the family. The owner said he hoped to reach an agreement this weekend to finish the home.
The suspect, Rodrigo Arraiga Jr., is charged with deadly conduct and is being held on a $75,000 bond, according to the report.
If you would like to help deputy Arellano and his family in this difficult time you can do so at this link.
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