Pensacola, Fl
Two police officers were killed in a border town of Texas on Saturday in what authorities described as an ambush.
The Monitor McAllen, Texas, reported that the gunman later killed himself after engaging in a shootout with other responders.
The newspaper Al-Monitor reported that the officers killed in McAllen were Edelmo Garza, 45, and Ismail Chavez, 39. He was killed while responding to a complaint about local unrest.
“We have lost two brave public officials who only sought to maintain peace in our city,” McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez said in a text message.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott addressed the news via Twitter on Saturday evening and praised the self-sacrifice of the two officers.
Abbot wrote, “Two of our best individuals were killed while doing homework while working to protect the population in their community.” “I have spoken to McAllen Police Chief Victor Rodriguez and offered full support from Texas. We are joining with #BackTheBlue.”
The suspect has been identified as Udon Ignacio Camarillo, 23, who was recently arrested last month on charges of assault, according to Al-Monitor.
Lieutenant Christopher Olivares, a spokesman for the state’s public safety department, said the officers were taken to a hospital in the area after the shooting.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office has taken on Twitter’s murders and offered prayers and assistance to people and police officers in McAllen.
“Our prayers and full support for brave men and women from #CityofMcAllen PD this evening,” the message read. “This office will provide any needed assistance in the coming days. We are grateful to the police in McAllen and around this great state.”
The city government’s Facebook page had a message of condolence to fellow Garza and Chavez officers and their families.
The newspaper reported that “McAllen police officers were killed while carrying out their duties.” “The city of McAllen offers its deep condolences to the McAllen Police Department and the families of Officer Edelmo Garza and Officer Ismail Chavez. Our city suffers and our hearts and prayers go to them during this difficult period.”
