Alexis Garcia was arrested in Corpus Christi a few hours after a deadly incident unfolded along the Southwest Freeway in Houston.
CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Police said the man believed to be responsible for a deadly carjacking in Houston was arrested in Corpus Christi hours after the incident along the Southwest Freeway.
The initial incident unfolded on Thursday evening around 6:30 when a gray Dodge Charger and a black Toyota Prius were involved in a minor crash on the feeder road near Wilcrest Drive. A witness told investigators that the driver of the Dodge, later identified by police as 20-year-old Alexis Garcia, got out of his vehicle and briefly spoke with the Prius driver, then walked south toward Wilcrest.
Moments later, another witness said they saw Garcia walk into traffic and then heard a gunshot. That witness then saw a red Hyundai Elantra speed away before it crashed into a nearby median. A 55-year-old man in the car had been shot and was taken to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. His identity hasn’t been revealed.
According to investigators, Garcia then pointed his gun at another driver and stole their gray Audi SQ5 before driving away.
Authorities said they were able to track the Audi to Corpus Christi, where they found it abandoned on County Road 43 just south of County Road 2444 just before 10 p.m. Investigators said the SUV appeared to be stuck in mud and still warm to the touch, leading them to believe the driver was nearby. They also noticed fresh blood on the vehicle.
They used drones and were able to find a person hiding in a nearby field. It turned out to be Garcia, and he was taken into custody. Police said he had a loaded pistol as well as injuries to his arm and hand.
Police said Garcia claimed the SUV was stolen.
Garcia was booked on warrants out of Harris County for unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
While Corpus Christi police directly linked Garcia to the incident in Houston, Houston police wouldn’t confirm his name or identity.
Anyone with more information on this case is asked to call the Houston Police Department Homicide Division at 713-308-3600.