A minor crash on Houston’s Southwest Freeway led to a fatal carjacking and the suspect’s escape in an Audi, police said.
HOUSTON — A 20-year-old man considered a person of interest in a deadly carjacking in Houston is now in custody in Corpus Christi, police said Friday.
Houston police say the man was detained after Corpus Christi officers located the stolen Audi SUV from the incident and found the person of interest nearby, armed with a handgun. His identity has not yet been released.
The chaotic chain of events began around 6:35 p.m. Thursday on the Southwest Freeway service road, near Wilcrest Drive. According to police, a gray Dodge Charger and a black Toyota Prius were involved in a minor crash.
A witness told investigators that the driver of the Dodge — believed to be the person of interest — exited the vehicle and spoke briefly with the Prius driver, then walked south toward Wilcrest. He was described as a young Hispanic male, thin build, with a mullet-style haircut, wearing black pants and a black t-shirt.
Moments later, another witness saw the man walk into traffic and then heard a gunshot. That witness then saw a red Hyundai Elantra speed away. The victim, who had been driving the Elantra, was shot during an attempted carjacking. He managed to drive a short distance before crashing into a median. He was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital, where he later died. The victim was 55 years old, but his name has not yet been released.
The suspect then allegedly pointed a gun at the second witness and carjacked their gray Audi SQ5 before fleeing the scene.
Investigators later tracked the stolen Audi to Corpus Christi, where police officers recovered the vehicle and detained the person of interest nearby.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600 or call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.