Two Texas officers killed during call
MCALLEN, Texas – Two police officers responding to a domestic disturbance call were shot and killed Saturday by a suspect who later fatally shot himself in a South Texas border town, authorities said.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez identified the slain officers as Edelmiro Garza, 45, and Ismael Chavez, 39. Garza was an officer with the police department for more than eight years, while Chavez had over two years of experience.
“We have lost two brave public servants who sought only to keep peace in our city,” Rodriguez told The (McAllen) Monitor.
The officers first met with two people who reported assaults that took place at a nearby home on the south side of McAllen about 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Rodriguez said.
But the alleged shooter, identified as 23-year-old Audon Ignacio Camarillo, opened fire when officers attempted to enter the home.
“They were doing their job. That is what they were supposed to do. The person was a suspect of the incident, met our officers at the door and shot at both officers,” Rodriguez said. “Both officers suffered fatal wounds; they have both passed away as a result. The officers never had a chance to suspect deadly death.”
Camarillo shot and killed himself shortly after opening fire on the officers, Rodriguez said, adding that the suspect hid behind a vehicle after other officers responded to the scene. Camarillo had a few run-ins with police beginning in 2016 and continuing through to his most recent arrest last month on assault charges, according to public records.
More details about Saturday’s domestic disturbance were not released. Rodriguez said that the attack happened suddenly and that fellow police officers didn’t learn of the officers’ deaths until arriving moments later.
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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who spoke with Rodriguez, offered the backing of the state and expressed his support via social media.
“Two of our finest were killed in the line of duty while working to protect residents in their community,” the governor wrote on Twitter. “We unite to #BackTheBlue.”
Lt. Christopher Olivarez, spokesman for the Texas Department of Public Safety, said DPS was among the agencies assisting McAllen police on Saturday.
Olivarez noted that DPS sent troopers to secure the scene after the McAllen Police Department requested their assistance. He said his agency received a call about the incident about 4:30 p.m.
Rodriguez said that while the police are “weakened for the moment,” he expects a resilient law enforcement community to persevere.
“The strength and the resolve we have to serve our communities, all of us here, will allow us to do what we do every day,” Rodriguez said.
Law enforcement from several cities in Hidalgo County gathered Saturday evening at McAllen Medical to honor Garza and Chavez. More than 50 police cars were part of a procession that accompanied the bodies of the officers, who were taken to Hidalgo County pathology for an autopsy.