Texas Rangers Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in Mission
MISSION – Authorities responded to the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Mission.
Police were dispatched to the 1300 block of Aldea Street Friday evening near the Mission Housing Authority. The suspect was killed. No one else was hurt.
Mission Police Chief, Robert Dominguez said the suspect Vicente Velasquez was outside with a handgun when officers arrived, but quickly went inside of his apartment.
"That's when they saw him in the hallway of this home. He went in and out of sight, going into a kitchen area, and then went into a bedroom," said Chief Dominguez.
The chief said Velasquez closed the door before.
"He started firing at the officers through the door. At one point, he actually came out and started charging the officers. at that particular time, the officers returned fire and he was fatally shot," said Dominguez.
The chief says every situation is different.
He says in this case, they were worried about the kids in the area.
"It just so happens that this complex is right next to a basketball court, and there were a number of children playing basketball at the time," said Chief Dominguez.
The Texas Rangers are leading the investigation, according to DPS Lt. Johnny Hernandez.
"The only thing I saw was the street filled with cops and then I heard gunshots. That's it," said Jose Soto, a neighbor.
Soto said the suspect, Vicente Velasquez, had lived in the apartments on Aldea Street for close to two years.
Chief Dominguez said Velasquez had an extensive criminal background, as well as multiple birth dates and addresses they are trying to decipher.