Person of interest in Harris County deputy’s death taken into custody, sheriff says

HOUSTON — A manhunt is underway after a deputy was killed during an ambush in northeast Harris County early Thursday morning, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Around 6 p.m. Thursday, a Blue Alert was issued for Ronnie Palmer, who was believed to be associated with the death of Deputy Fernando Esqueda.

RELATED: What is a Blue Alert?

Esqueda was 28 and a five-year veteran of the sheriff’s office. He was also a member of HCSO’s Violent Person Task Force which hunts down child rapists, homicide suspects, and other violent offenders.

“He was dedicated to protecting and serving the residents of Harris County,” Sheriff Gonzalez said. “We pray with Deputy Esqueda’s family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Deputy Esqueda’s commitment to duty and his sacrifice will always be remembered.”

On Thursday night, Gov. Greg Abbott’s Office announced a $10,000 reward for information that led to the arrest of Palmer.

The sheriff also identified and released a photo of a person of interest wanted in connection with the deadly ambush.

The sheriff said Ronnie Palmer was wanted for aggravated assault that happened on Wallisville Road. He was also a person of interest in the death of the deputy.

They described Palmer as being a Black man who stands about 6 feet, 4 inches tall and weighs about 250 pounds. He has tattoos on his neck and right leg. They said he should be considered to be armed and dangerous.

If you have any info regarding his whereabouts, contact Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

The sheriff called the killing senseless.

“Just make better decisions it’s ok not the end of the world,” the sheriff said. “These people are here trying to provide a service to the community instead of being shut down. I’m sure they probably have hardships in their own homes. Probably not getting paid a lot of money and just to serve the community. It didn’t have to get to this point.”

Watch the sheriff’s full press conference below:

The shooting happened along Italian Cypress Trail, which is near Tidwell and Beltway 8.

The sheriff said it started just after 10 p.m. Wednesday when deputies received a call about an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road.

At the time, deputies responded along with investigators, who were out working a 12-hour shift to help with post-storm patrols. The sheriff said that an employee at the pizza place had been attacked after a customer had come and was upset that his order was incorrect.

The sheriff said the attacker pistol-whipped the employee before he took off.

However, the employee could identify the attacker’s vehicle by make, model, and license plate. Deputies then put a call out and all other detectives working started to look for the suspect vehicle.

One of the detectives put the license plate into the “FLOCK” camera system and saw that the suspect vehicle had a history of hits in the system in a specific location, the sheriff said. Deputies went to that location but did not find the car.

After detectives did not find the attacker at that location, they broke away. However, the sheriff said Esqueda went back to the location where he thought the attacker might be.

Esqueda then reported that he found the suspect’s vehicle but not the attacker, the sheriff said. As he was calling in the vehicle, Esqueda was ambushed.

Other detectives went to the location and found Esqueda’s undercover vehicle riddled with bullet holes, the sheriff said. The deputy had been shot multiple times.

Esqueda was rushed to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead, the sheriff said.

Shortly after the shooting, deputies set up two locations with SWAT teams. Gonzalez said they had a good idea of who the gunman was and thought they would have him in custody quickly.

The law enforcement community offered their condolences following news of Esqueda’s death.

Here is what the Houston Police Department posted:

Harris County Constable Pct. 3 Constable Sherman Eagleton posted this:

“Praying for Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Harris County Sheriff’s Office suffered a tremendous loss with the senseless death of one of their own. We are grieving with his family and friends and with our HCSO brothers and sisters. The suspect is still out there and we stand with the HCSO in the search for that individual.”

From the Surfside Police Department:

“On behalf of the Surfside Beach Police Department, we send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the Harris County Deputy, whose life was taken. May our prayers bring comfort to the Harris County Sheriff’s Department, his family, and all of the lives that were touched by the Deputy.”

From the University of Houston Police Department:

“The men and women of the University of Houston Police Department extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Harris County Sheriff’s Office family as they mourn the loss of a deputy who was ambushed and killed in Northeast, Harris County. We stand with all our brothers and sisters, of the law enforcement family.”

Harris County Constable Pct. 3 Constable Mark Herman

“REST IN PEACE HERO. The men and women of Constable Mark Herman’s Office extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Harris County Sheriff’s Office family as they mourn the loss of a deputy who was ambushed and killed in Northeast, Harris County early this morning.”