Second arrest in connection with the shooting of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda

A second suspect was arrested in connection with the shooting of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Fernando Esqueda.

Dremone Francis, 26, was charged with capital murder and is currently in the Harris County Jail.

READ MORE: “He was truly a crime fighter”: Sheriff Gonzalez remembers deputy killed in northeast Harris County as “relentless”

We will update this post as soon as we receive more information.

What happened?

On Wednesday night, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office lost one of its employees when 28-year-old Deputy Fernando Esqueda was shot and killed in the line of duty. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Esqueda was patrolling northeast Harris County around 10 p.m. when the incident occurred.

Deputy Esqueda and other officers responded to a call about a man pistol-whipping an employee at Little Caesars on Wallisville Road after becoming upset over an incorrect pizza order. The suspect, identified as 44-year-old Ronnie Palmer, reportedly left the restaurant and drove to another location on Italian Cypress Trail. Esqueda, working undercover, followed Palmer.

During the confrontation at the second location, Palmer allegedly opened fire on Esqueda. When additional officers arrived, they found Esqueda’s patrol car riddled with bullet holes and Esqueda seriously injured. He was taken to LBJ Hospital by private vehicle, but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival.

The loss of Deputy Esqueda has deeply affected the Harris County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Gonzalez described Esqueda as a dedicated officer who loved serving and protecting the community. Esqueda was with the department for five years, worked on the elite Violent Person Taskforce and was known for his dedication to fighting crime.

SEE ALSO: Undercover Harris County deputy killed while searching for man who pistol-whipped Little Caesars employee

Following the shooting, a blue alert was issued and Ronnie Palmer Jr. was taken into custody.

“We are heartbroken by the loss of Deputy Esqueda,” said Sheriff Gonzalez. “He embodied the best qualities of law enforcement and his dedication to our community will never be forgotten.”