HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A second suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of Harris County Sheriff’s Deputy Fernando Esqueda, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.
On Sunday, Gonzalez announced that Dremone Francis has been charged with capital murder for his alleged involvement in Deputy Esqueda’s death.
This arrest follows the earlier capture of 44-year-old Ronald “Ronnie” Palmer Jr., who was also charged with capital murder in this case.
The incident began on Wednesday, July 10, when officers responded to an aggravated assault call at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road. Police say Palmer, upset with his order, verbally assaulted and pistol-whipped an employee before fleeing. The employee provided a description of Palmer’s vehicle, including the license plate, which deputies traced to an address on the 13200 block of Italian Cypress Road.
Deputy Esqueda, one of several deputies working overtime to patrol streets following Hurricane Beryl, responded to the location. He informed team members over the phone when he spotted the suspect’s vehicle. At that moment, Esqueda was ambushed and shot while speaking with other deputies. His undercover vehicle was riddled with bullet holes.
Deputy Esqueda, who had served with the department for five years, was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
On Thursday evening, Palmer was apprehended by a fugitive task force at a residence in northeast Harris County. He had been on the move since the shooting and was captured without incident after staying at the residence for about two hours.
By 11 p.m. that evening, Palmer was charged with capital murder. He waived his initial court appearance on Friday, during which it was revealed that another individual was with Palmer the night of the employee assault.
Palmer is expected to appear in court on Monday morning, with his bond set at $100,000. Details regarding the second suspect’s court appearance have not been disclosed.
