Holly MatkinBig Wells, TX – A Dimmit County sheriff’s deputy was shot in the lower abdomen while trying to apprehend a federal fugitive on Tuesday night, according to investigators.
Uvalde County Precinct Constable Emmanuel Zamora said the attack occurred near FM 1867 and Highway 85, WOAI reported.
According to Dimmitt County Sheriff Marion Boyd, a deputy had encountered Rocky Carrizales, who had a federal warrant out for his arrest, KENS reported.
The deputy ended up calling for backup as the situation escalated, Sheriff Boyd said.
Carrizales then allegedly opened fire, hitting the deputy in the lower abdomen, before trying to flee the scene in a vehicle, according to the sheriff.
He subsequently crashed while attempting to navigate a curve in the road, KENS reported.
When Sheriff Boyd and another deputy arrived at the scene, the gunman allegedly pointed his gun at them, leading to a shootout, the sheriff said.
The thoughts and prayers of the Del Río Sector are with our Dimmit County Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot tonight near Big Wells.
Please keep him, his family and the entire Sheriff’s Department in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/PyheNb5C4T
— Chief Patrol Agent Austin Skero (@USBPChiefDRT) March 31, 2021
Carrizales was ultimately apprehended and transported to a hospital, KENS reported.
His condition has not been released.
The wounded deputy was later identified as Dimmit County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Garcia, WOAI reported.
Deputy Garcia was airlifted to a hospital in San Antonio.
Our prayers are with Dimmit County Sheriff’s Deputy Garcia who was shot tonight near the Dimmit/Zavala County line.
Please keep him, his family, the Department, and all our officers, dispatchers, and our emergency medical professional involved in this incident in your prayers.
— Texas Game Warden (@TexasGameWarden) March 31, 2021
Sheriff Boyd said in a Facebook post early Wednesday morning that the wounded deputy was in stable condition and “is expected t make a full recovery.”
“Thank you all for the prayers and support,” the sheriff wrote.
Update: Deputy Joshua Garcia was injured in the shooting. He just returned from his honeymoon a week ago. More info to come in a few minutes @News4SA https://t.co/cAh5k2DXbF
— Josie Garcia (@theoutlaw_josie) March 31, 2021
Sheriff Boyd told reporters Carrizales shot at Deputy Garcia multiple times, hitting him once, WOAI reported.
He said the wounded deputy had just gotten back to work this week after returning from his honeymoon, and described him as “one of the kindest and finest young men you will meet,” according to the news outlet.
Sandy Malone