HOUSTON – An attempted robber died after being shot while trying to help set up a man at an apartment complex in north Harris County Tuesday, constable deputies with Harris County Precinct 4 Mark Herman’s Office said.
Constable deputies were called to the La Esencia apartments located at 300 North Vista Drive around 1:45 a.m. for a weapons disturbance. Authorities said when they arrived at the scene, they were flagged down by a 23-year-old man who told them that he was robbed at gunpoint by a man and woman. He then told constable deputies that he shot the man.
Investigators said as additional deputies arrived at the apartments, they located a 23-year-old man, later identified as Ronjai Cook, dead between the #11 and #20 buildings.
Authorities said a replica handgun wrapped in duct tape was located nearby. Emergency dispatch reportedly received additional calls from a woman, Rachel Juarez, who lived in the #17 building. She claimed an armed man was in her apartment, investigators said. Constable deputies said they located Juarez, cleared the apartment, and detained her.
Investigators with Harris County Sheriff’s Office Homicide and Crime Scene units also responded to the scene. The man told investigators that he met a woman, later identified as Juarez, on a dating website. He drove to the apartments to meet her and she escorted him to her apartment, investigators said. Authorities said when they entered the apartment, Cook and Juarez robbed him at gunpoint. Cook escorted the man back to the parking lot, where he was able to break away from him, run to his vehicle, retrieve a rifle, and shoot Cook, investigators said.
Authorities said Juarez provided investigators with a statement, confirming the victim’s story.