HOUSTON – A carjacking suspect who is accused of murdering his father is dead after being shot by an officer in northwest Houston Thursday morning.
Spring Branch ISD police said the shooting happened in the 2800 block of Campbell Road around 7:20 a.m.
SBISD police were notified about the suspect, whom KPRC 2 Investigates identified as Omar Rodarte, attempting to steal vehicles at Buffalo Creek Elementary School during the morning arrival.
While being pursued by officers, authorities said Rodarte was driving a stolen vehicle and hit several other vehicles before vacating the stolen vehicle and fleeing on foot.
While chasing the suspect on foot, officers said Rodarte pointed a weapon at them. One of the SBISD officers then fired several shots, killing the suspect. The officer was not injured.
According to the Houston Police Department, Rodarte allegedly murdered one of his family members earlier in the morning.
Police said they received a call at about 7:10 a.m. from a woman who said her son had gotten into an argument with his father in the 2500 block of Monda Lee Lane. The woman heard a gunshot and called police. The suspect then went to the school.
“I heard screams this morning when I came out,” one woman said.
KPRC 2′s Re’Chelle Turner spoke to a woman who knew the family.
“I’m surprised that this happened because I didn’t see it coming. The mom kept to herself. I would wave to the dad he didn’t deserve this. He really didn’t,” she said.
KPRC 2 Investigates discovered Rodarte had 11 convictions, had three felonies since 2011, received four years probation in 2021 and was granted early termination on Nov. 15. The suspect reportedly had two other felony charges dismissed while on probation and his conditions were amended.
Neighbors said the way things unfolded today was tough to process.
“It’s really, really sad. It’s a really quiet neighborhood. Nothing happened here. It’s super tragic,” Gabriel Garza said.
Spring Branch ISD released the following statement regarding the incident:
“We applaud our Spring Branch ISD Police for acting swiftly to protect our school during arrival and our campus staff who responded immediately and followed our safety protocols. We also thank our SBISD Board of Trustees for their strong commitment to safety and security and for requiring our locked-door protocol for all district schools and facilities,” stated Dr. Jennifer Blaine, SBISD Superintendent of Schools.