A man walked up behind a Texas sheriff’s deputy who was fueling his patrol car and shot him multiple times, killing him instantly, authorities said.
The Harris County Sheriff’s deputy was pumping gas in uniform when the gunman opened fire Friday night.
“The deputy then fell to ground,” said Deputy Thomas Gilliland of Harris County. “The suspect then continued over to him and shot the deputy again multiple times as he laid on the ground.”
‘He did not say anything’
Witnesses called 911 and reported the attack. The gunman, who was in a red Ford Ranger and gave no indication of his motive, drove away after the shooting. A manhunt is underway to find him, authorities said.
“He did not say anything,” a teary Gilliland said. “If anyone saw anything … any leads we can get.”
Authorities did not identify the suspect or the sheriff’s deputy, but said the latter is a 10-year veteran.
“I have no words for what this type of person did, the callousness is much,” Gilliland said.
Before the attack in the Houston area Friday, 22 law enforcement officers had been shot to death so far this year nationwide, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.
Traffic incidents are the leading cause of officer fatalities in the U.S., followed by shootings.