TEXAS CITY, Texas – A Texas City High School student, 16, has been arrested on suspicion in connection with a deadly carjacking following a standoff with police in La Marque.
What happened?
At about 8:15 p.m. a driver was held at gunpoint near the Metro PCS store in the Mainland Mall Shopping Center. The suspect with a handgun allegedly demanded the keys to the victims' 2002 Honda Odyssey minivan. Police say the victims complied and the suspect drove away in the minivan.
The suspect was described as a young black man between the ages of 17 and 19. He was wearing blue jeans and a white hooded sweatshirt and used a handgun during the carjacking.
The second carjacking turns deadly
Fifteen minutes later, police responded to a robbery and shooting at the Costa Mariposa Apartments at 7555 Medical Center Drive. A 45-year-old Texas City man was found shot and killed by the staircase of a building.
"Witnesses described the suspect as a thin build younger black male approximately 5'10", wearing blue jeans and a white shirt," police wrote in a news release Monday morning. "The suspect was seen leaving in the victim's 2016 white Nissan Maxima displaying Texas temporary license plate 4230U3."
As they investigated, police discovered the Honda Odyssey from the earlier carjacking, parked in the apartment complex. It was taken to the Texas City Police Department for processing and police believe the same person was responsible for both carjackings and the homicide.
The Nissan Altima was found in La Marque at about 7:30 a.m. Monday and was taken to the Texas City Police Department for processing.
The suspect's arrest
The teen was found hiding underneath a house on Franklin Street near the Gulf Freeway.
Dozens of police officers from several departments, including a SWAT team, and a DPS helicopter and crew were dispatched to the scene.
"After about 45 minutes of talking with our negotiators, he did surrender peacefully," Cp.l Allen Bejerke, of the Texas City Police Department said.
Family of the suspected carjacker
The teen's father and aunt showed up at the scene.
"He's a troubled kid, he's taking medication, but he's been in trouble," the teenager's aunt said.
What's next?
It was unclear Monday whether the teen would be charged as a juvenile or as an adult but he is the prime suspect in the death of the 45-year-old man who was shot and killed.
The victim remained publicly unidentified Monday because next of kin had yet to be notified, according to Cpl. Bejerke.