HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – The Harris County Sheriff’s Office Crimes Against Children Unit has arrested and charged a suspect wanted for shooting into a vehicle and wounding a 10-year-old girl.
Manuel Cervantes, 25, has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Investigators say on Nov. 12, Cervantes was driving a 1998 Cadillac Deville near Antoine and Beltway 8 when he struck the back of a Jeep Cherokee at a traffic light.The Jeep was driven by a 32-year-old mother and her three children were riding with her.
Cervantes fled without stopping to exchange information and the mother attempted to follow his car and record his license plate with her cellphone. Cervantes then slowed his speed, rolled his window down and fired a pistol several times at the Jeep, according to deputies.
The 10-year-old, who was in the backseat, was struck by the jacket of the bullet after it passed through a door frame. Her injury was non-life threatening.
Further investigation led to Cervantes being identified as the shooter and a warrant was issued for his arrest. He was picked up by the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force Tuesday morning and booked into the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center.
Cervantes is being held on a $50,000 bond.