Crime
Hector Vasquez Identified Among Victims Killed in Shooting Spree Spanning from Sugar Land to Houston
HOUSTON, TX — Authorities have identified one of the victims killed in multi-location shooting spree stretching from Sugar Land to southwest Houston as Hector Vasquez.
The violent sequence of events, which police believe are connected, left three victims and the suspect dead and has prompted a multi-agency investigation.
First Shooting — Sugar Land (Road Rage Incident)
At approximately 12:30 p.m., officers with the Sugar Land Police Department responded to reports of a shooting near Dairy Ashford Road and U.S. Highway 90.
Investigators say the incident began as a road rage confrontation that escalated into gunfire.
An adult female driver was found inside her vehicle suffering from multiple gunshot wounds.
Officers rendered first aid until emergency personnel arrived, but the victim was later pronounced deceased at the hospital.
The suspect, driving a gray Ford Escape, fled the scene immediately after the shooting.
Second Shooting — Houston (Auto Shop Double Homicide)
Roughly one hour later, at about 1:30 p.m., the Houston Police Department received a report of a shooting at a mechanic shop near Fondren Road and Main Street.
According to investigators, a man driving a vehicle matching the description of the Sugar Land suspect’s car arrived at the business and became involved in an altercation with a mechanic.
The confrontation quickly escalated, and the suspect fatally shot the mechanic.
A witness at the scene began recording the incident on his cellphone.
The suspect then turned the gun on the witness, shooting and killing him before fleeing northbound on Fondren Road toward Creekbend Drive.
Police have since identified one of the Houston victims as Hector Vasquez.
Third Shooting — Suspect Found Deceased
A short time later, officers located the gray Ford Escape near the 8000 block of Creekbend Drive, approximately three miles from the previous scene.
When officers approached the vehicle, they discovered the suspect deceased inside from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
In total, three victims were confirmed deceased in the rampage:
- One adult female in Sugar Land.
- Two adult males in Houston, including Hector Vasquez.
Both the Sugar Land Police Department and the Houston Police Department are conducting joint investigations into the series of connected shootings.
Authorities are still working to determine the suspect’s identity, motive, and the precise circumstances that linked the incidents.
Police described the case as a “tragic and senseless act of violence” that spanned two cities within a short timeframe.
Several roadways in the affected areas remained closed for hours as homicide investigators processed the scenes and collected evidence.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.