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Authorities are seeking a suspect in the Jan. 23 shooting death of a deputy with the Harris County Precinct 5 Constable’s Office.
According to KHOU-11, Cpl. Charles Galloway was shot over the weekend during a traffic stop on the southwest side of Houston. Emotions were running high this week, with Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo taking to social media to express her condolences.
“Heartbroken at the senseless murder of Harris County Pct 5 Corporal Galloway while he was on duty,” Hidalgo said on Twitter. “I ask that Harris County residents join me in expressing condolences to his family, @ConstableHeap and all law enforcement officers. We will not rest until we find the suspect."
Authorities told KHOU-11 that Oscar Rosales, 51, has been identified as the suspect and a $60,000 reward is being offered for his capture and conviction. According to the report, Rosales started firing at Galloway before the officer was able to get out of his car.
“He (Rosales) got out of his vehicle, immediately fired upon the deputy multiple times, striking him and then drove off,” Houston Police Chief Troy Finner told KHOU-11.
Harris County Precinct 5 Constable Ted Heap told KHOU-11 that Galloway had served with his office for more than 12 years and had recently served as a field training officer. He told the station that he apparently never had a chance to defend himself.
“When somebody decides to engage and take the life of a police officer because of a routine traffic stop, then I think we have a breakdown in how society is supposed to be,” Heap told the news outlet.
Finner told the news outlet that an assault-style weapon was used in the shooting, which remains under investigation by his department.
Witness statements, according to KHOU-11, also noted that Rosales got out of his car and immediately opened fire on Galloway during the traffic stop in the 9100 block of Beechnut.
The suspect, according to the news outlet, then drove off in his vehicle, a newer model Toyota Avalon sedan.