Skip to main content
Clear icon
52º

3 suspects arrested in connection with deadly Pearland flea market shooting

Authorities are still looking for 19-year-old David Negrete

PEARLAND, Texas – Authorities with Pearland Police Department announced two teens and a man are in custody in connection with the shooting at a Pearland flea market that killed one child and injured four others.

Julianna Espino and Cruz Meza, both 18, are charged with tampering with physical evidence and making false statements to a peace officer. While Espino is held at Brazoria County Jail, police said Meza was shot on the night of the shooting and is headed to jail after recovering at a hospital.

On Monday, officials identified the alleged shooter as David Negrete, 19. He was arrested for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on Tuesday.

Negrete was listed on the Texas Department of Public Safety’s top 10 fugitives.

Related: Child dies, 4 others injured after ‘disturbance’ at Pearland flea market leads to gunshots

What happened?

On Sunday, officers were dispatched to the incident around 5:45 p.m. at Cole’s Flea Market in the 1000 block of North Main Street. Authorities released more information about the victims, which include a 10-year-old boy, 14-year-old girl, 16-year-old boy, 18-year-old man and 37-year-old man.

Two men were involved in an argument at the flea market and shots were fired. Negrete is one of the suspected shooters, and there are two other suspects.

The victims were later taken to local hospitals, and the 10-year-old boy was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The two younger children and 37-year-old were innocent bystanders. Authorities are still investigating how the other two teenagers were involved.

Negrete should be considered armed and dangerous.

Officers said they do not know how many shots were fired. Chad Rogers, Public Information Officer for the Pearland Police Department, said the shooting does not appear to be a targeted attack on the flea market.

This case is still under investigation. A $15,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the suspect’s arrest.

Anyone with details about Negrete’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Pearland Police Department tip line at 281-997-5828 or Brazoria County Crime Stoppers 1-800-460-2222.

Police have identified a suspect on Monday, who is wanted in connection to the Pearland flea market shooting that killed one child and injured four other people. (Pearland Police)

About the Authors

Cynthia Miranda graduated from UT Austin and is a proud Houstonian. She is passionate about covering breaking news and community stories. Cynthia previously covered elections, the historic 2021 Texas winter storm, and other news in East Texas. In addition to writing, she also loves going to concerts, watching movies, and cooking with her family.

A graduate of the University of Houston-Downtown, Ana moved to H-Town from sunny southern California in 2015. In 2020, she joined the KPRC 2 digital team as an intern. Ana is a self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur, a catmom of 3, and an aquarium enthusiast. In her spare time, she's an avid video gamer and loves to travel.

Loading...

Recommended Videos