Two police officers were shot and killed Saturday by a suspect who later fatally shot himself in a South Texas border town after responding to a domestic disturbance call, 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.
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Two police officers were shot and killed Saturday by a suspect who later fatally shot himself in a South Texas border town after responding to a domestic disturbance call, authorities said.
The officers first met with two people who reported assaults that took place inside a nearby home on the south side of McAllen around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Rodriguez said. But the alleged shooter, whom police identified as 23-year-old Audon Ignacio Camarillo, opened fire when officers attempted to enter the home.
More details surrounding the domestic disturbance Garza and Chavez responded to were not immediately known. Rodriguez said the attack happened suddenly and fellow police officers didn’t learn of the officers' deaths until arriving to the area moments later.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who spoke with Rodriguez, offered the full backing of the state and expressed his support via social media.
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 around 4:30 p.m.
“Our prayers and full support are with the valiant men and women of the #CityofMcAllen PD this evening,” the tweet read. “We are grateful for police in McAllen and around this great state.”
Rodriguez said that while the police are “weakened for the moment,” he expects a resilient law enforcement community to stand tall and persevere through it.
McAllen Police officers console one another as they gather outside the McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
A vehicle carrying the body of a McAllen Police officer leaves McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
Edinburg Police Chief Cesar Torres stands as a motorcade of different police units from local cities drives by as they leave McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two McAllen police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
“We have lost two brave public servants who sought only to keep peace in our City," Rodriguez, visibly distraught, told The (McAllen) Monitor.
McAllen Police officers wait outside as they gather at McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
The officers first met with two people who reported assaults that took place inside a nearby home on the south side of McAllen around 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Rodriguez said. But the alleged shooter, whom police 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 assault on them, much less 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 to his most recent arrest last month on assault charges, according to public records.
A McAllen police officer hugs a mourner at McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
More details surrounding the domestic disturbance Garza and Chavez responded to were not immediately known. Rodriguez said the attack happened suddenly and fellow police officers didn’t learn of the officers' deaths until arriving to the area moments later.
Rodriguez said he doesn't expect his department to get over the deaths of their fellow officers anytime soon.
“The next few days for us, moving forward as well, will be very, very difficult, for ourselves at the department and at the city of McAllen, but our strength will get us through,” the chief said. “We gather our strength from our police officers, and we gather our strengths from our colleagues, as you can see here.”
McAllen Police crime scene investigation personnel seal off the scene of a shooting where two police officers were shot and killed reportedly responding to a disturbance call, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. (Delcia LopezThe Monitor via AP)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who spoke with Rodriguez, offered the full 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,” Abbott 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.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez, foreground, is hugged by a Texas Ranger after speaking at a news conference near the scene of a shooting where two of his officers were shot and killed reportedly responding to a disturbance call, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. (Delcia LopezThe Monitor via AP)
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 around 4:30 p.m.
McAllen is located at the southern tip of Texas, about 70 miles (113 kilometers) west of the Gulf of Mexico.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton tweeted that his office will provide the McAllen Police Department with any help needed.
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez, center, pauses for a moment during a news conference near the scene where two of his officers were shot and killed reportedly responding to a disturbance call, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. (Delcia LopezThe Monitor via AP)
“Our prayers and full support are with the valiant men and women of the #CityofMcAllen PD this evening,” the tweet read. “We are grateful for police in McAllen and around this great state.”
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez of McAllen said in a statement that receiving news of the two officers' deaths was “devastating.”
“This is devastating news to our community. My heart breaks for these fallen officers and their families,” Gonzalez said. “They served McAllen bravely and honorably and I will keep them in my prayers.”
McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez, right, pauses for a moment during a news conference near the scene where two of his officers were shot and killed reportedly responding to a disturbance call, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. (Delcia LopezThe Monitor via AP)
Rodriguez said that while the police are “weakened for the moment,” he expects a resilient law enforcement community to stand tall and persevere through it.
“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.
McAllen Police officers investigate a shooting that left two fellow officers dead after they reportedly responded to a disturbance call, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
McAllen Police officers console one another as they gather outside the McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
A vehicle carrying the body of a McAllen Police officer leaves McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)
Edinburg Police Chief Cesar Torres stands as a motorcade of different police units from local cities drives by as they leave McAllen Medical Center, Saturday, July 11, 2020, in McAllen, Texas. Two McAllen police officers were shot and killed after reportedly responding to a disturbance call. (Joel MartinezThe Monitor via AP)