A second suspect has been arrested in Texas in connection with the ambush killing of a Houston-area deputy last week. Dremone Francis, 26, has been charged with capital murder in the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda and has been booked in the Harris County Jail, according to officials. This arrest follows the earlier arrest of Ronald 'Ronnie' Palmer Jr., 44, who was also charged with capital murder.
Deputy Esqueda, 28, tragically lost his life while in the line of duty. He was pursuing a man accused of pistol-whipping an employee at a Little Caesars restaurant in Houston. Esqueda was shot and killed during the pursuit, leaving behind a void in the law enforcement community.
The incident began when Palmer allegedly verbally assaulted and pistol-whipped a Little Caesars employee over an incorrect order before fleeing the scene. Law enforcement agencies initiated a search for Palmer based on the vehicle description provided by the employee. Esqueda, who was part of the search team, believed he had located the suspect's car and was ambushed while on the phone with another detective.
Backup officers arrived at the scene to find Esqueda critically injured, with his vehicle riddled with bullet holes. Despite efforts to save him, Esqueda succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. A formal procession is scheduled to honor Deputy Esqueda and escort his body to a funeral home on Monday.
This tragic event serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by law enforcement officers in the line of duty and the sacrifices they make to protect their communities. The arrests of the suspects bring a sense of closure to this devastating incident, but the loss of Deputy Esqueda will be deeply felt by his colleagues, family, and the community he served.
