Houston authorities have charged Ronnie Palmer with capital murder in the overnight shooting death of Deputy Fernando Esqueda. Palmer, who was also accused of aggravated assault following an incident at a Little Caesars pizza shop, was charged late Thursday evening, as announced by Harris County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Mike Lee on X (formerly Twitter).

Incident Overview

The tragic events unfolded just after 10 p.m. on Wednesday when Harris County deputies responded to an aggravated assault at the Little Caesars on Wallisville Road. According to Chief Deputy Mike Lee, Palmer had entered the pizza shop to pick up an order and became upset because the order was incorrect. He then verbally assaulted an employee, produced a firearm, and pistol-whipped the worker before fleeing the scene.

Deputy Esqueda’s Pursuit and Ambush

The employee at Little Caesars was able to provide a detailed description of Palmer’s getaway vehicle, including the make, model, color, and license plate number. Deputy Fernando Esqueda, a five-year veteran of the department and member of the elite violent persons task force, spotted the suspect’s car shortly after.

Deputy Esqueda informed a fellow detective that he had the suspect’s vehicle in sight. However, while on the phone, Deputy Esqueda was ambushed and shot multiple times. Other detectives rushed him to a nearby hospital, but he died almost immediately after arriving, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said.

Community Response and Mourning

Sheriff Gonzalez expressed deep sorrow over the loss of Deputy Esqueda, describing him as a dedicated officer with “so much promise unfulfilled.” He added, “What happened is senseless. Deputy Esqueda was a member of a very elite task force, going after the worst of the worst.”

Suspect in Custody

Ronnie Palmer, previously identified as a person of interest in Deputy Esqueda’s murder, was taken into custody and charged with capital murder. Palmer is also facing charges of aggravated assault in connection with the Little Caesars incident. Authorities are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding both incidents and whether any additional individuals were involved.

Conclusion

The community mourns the loss of Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who dedicated his career to serving and protecting the public. The Harris County Sheriff’s Office, along with other law enforcement agencies, remains committed to seeking justice for Deputy Esqueda and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.