A man suspected of assaulting his girlfriend and firing into a Mesquite home on Sunday, June 22, died by suicide while being followed by a West Police officer on IH-35.
At approximately 9:28 a.m., Mesquite Police responded to a shooting in the 3000 block of Cantura Drive. Their investigation revealed that the suspect had assaulted his girlfriend during an argument before leaving the residence. He then returned and fired multiple rounds into the occupied home. Fortunately, no one was injured in the shooting, and the suspect fled before officers arrived.
Mesquite Police issued an area-wide "Be on the Lookout" (BOLO) for the suspect's silver Ford Focus. Officer D. Gonzalez of the West Police Department located the vehicle traveling southbound on IH-35.
As Officer Gonzalez followed the suspect, awaiting backup, the driver reportedly shot himself as the vehicle approached Tours Road. The car then struck another vehicle and came to a stop after hitting a road sign in the grassy median. Responding officers confirmed the suspect was deceased and began an investigation into the apparent suicide.
The West Police Department expressed gratitude to the Waco DPS Troopers, McLennan County Sheriff's Office, Texas Game Wardens, and a Texas Ranger for their assistance in handling the "potentially dangerous situation and follow up investigation."
Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace D. Pareya performed the inquest and has ordered an autopsy. The suspect's name is being withheld pending family notification.
