Texas Person of Interest, Deputy Killed in Ambush, Identified as State Supports Active Manhunt

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced that state authorities are joining the manhunt for the person involved in the ambush shooting of a Houston-area deputy overnight after officers responded to a call from a Little Caesar's restaurant employee who said he was gunned down by an angry customer.

Authorities in and around Houston are searching for Ronnie Palmer, 44, in connection with the line-of-duty death of Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Fernando Esqueda.

The deputy was 28 and a five-year police veteran, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez wrote on X, adding that he was personally on the ground as part of the manhunt.

MANHUNT ON IN TEXAS AFTER DETECTIVE WAS FATALLY AMBUSHED, SHERIFF'S OFFICE SAYS

Harris County Deputy Sheriff Fernando Esqueda in uniform stands in front of an American flag in this portrait provided by the sheriff. Esqueda was shot early Thursday and a manhunt is underway for a person of interest. (Harris County Sheriff)

Palmer is considered a person of interest in the shooting and is also wanted for aggravated assault at a Little Ceasar's pizzeria on Wallisville Road in East Harris County.

An angry customer at the pizza shop allegedly hit an employee with a gun and fled. As authorities searched for the suspect in that case, Esqueda was ambushed while on the phone with another detective, authorities said Thursday.

Backups arrived around 1 a.m. Thursday in the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Trail and found Esqueda's vehicle riddled with bullets. He had been hit by multiple bullets.

Suspect killed after confrontation following Ohio officer's death

Ronnie Palmer has been identified as a person of interest in the murder and is wanted in connection with an assault. (Harris County Sheriff)

Esqueda was a member of an “elite task force,” Deputy Chief Mike Lee told reporters.

“This group goes out every day hunting child rapists, homicide suspects, some of the most heinous criminals out there, and that’s what they do every day for a living,” Lee said. “And he was very good at his job. He was very well regarded.”

IN REMEMBERANCE OF THE POLICE OFFICERS WHO LOST THEIR LIVES IN THE LINE OF THEIR DUTIES LAST YEAR

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez speaks to the media Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Houston, about the line-of-duty death of Deputy John Hampton Coddou. On Thursday, he announced the death of another deputy, Fernando Esqueda, and announced a manhunt for a person of interest in the case. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)

His colleagues took him to hospital in a patrol vehicle in critical condition. He succumbed to his injuries.

Abbott pledged the state's full support to local police in their search for the shooter.

“Every time our law enforcement officers wear their badge, they selflessly put their lives on the line,” he said in a statement. “Violence against law enforcement officers will never be tolerated in Texas.”

He said state police and special agents were participating in the manhunt.

Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Chief Mike Lee said the 28-year-old detective was “apparently ambushed” after locating what he believed to be the vehicle belonging to an aggravated assault suspect. (Harris County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

“Please join Cecilia and me in praying for Congressman Esqueda’s family, loved ones and the entire Harris County community,” he added.

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Authorities are asking anyone with information about Palmer's whereabouts to contact Houston Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS (8477).

“None of us are prepared for such an untimely death and our members need your prayers and support,” Gonzalez said. “Our thoughts are with his family as they deal with this horrible news.”

He vowed to bring the murderer to justice.

Fox News' Elizabeth Pritchett and Greg Norman contributed to this report.