HCSO deputy shoots suspect following chase, rollover crash

WESLACO, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — Deputies with the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office are investigating an officer-involved shooting that happened Wednesday morning.

The shooting happened shortly after 9 a.m. after a traffic stop turned into a pursuit, according to Sheriff J.E. Eddie Guerra.

Guerra says deputies were preparing to execute a search warrant on the suspect’s home before conducting the traffic stop.

“The vehicle left the location and the deputy was going to stop the vehicle to identify the people,” Guerra continued.

The traffic stop happened by Tower Road and Owassa Road in Edinburg before it turned into a citywide pursuit.

Guerra says the pursuit ended after the suspect lost control of the vehicle and rolled over onto a crop field west of FM 88 on Mile 13 N. Rd. in Weslaco.

Guerra says the responding deputy approached the crashed vehicle inside the field when he heard gunshots.

Once the deputy heard gunshots, he discharged his weapon and shot the passenger of the vehicle in the leg.

Both the passenger and driver of the car were arrested and taken to a hospital for medical evaluation.

The driver is looking at charges of evading with a vehicle, assault on a peace officer and resisting arrest.

The passenger has two warrants of arrest for assault and possession of a controlled substance, according to Guerra.

As per Sheriff’s Office policy and protocol, the deputy involved has been placed on paid administrative leave.

ValleyCentral will report updates as they become available.

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