A Texas father fatally shot a carjacker who brazenly attempted to steal his vehicle while his family was inside, outside a gas station in Garland. The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon near Highway 66.
Surveillance Footage Captures Ordeal
Surveillance video obtained by Fox 4 shows the unidentified father and his family sitting in their car in a parking lot when a suspect approached the driver's side door and tried to enter. The father immediately exited the vehicle to prevent the man from getting in, while the rest of his family fled the car around 3:30 p.m.
The two struggled as the carjacker managed to slip into the driver's seat. They continued to tussle until the criminal pushed the father out, stood up, closed the back door, and re-entered the vehicle. In a swift move, the father circled to the passenger's side front door and allegedly fired more than ten rounds at the assailant.
Suspect Pronounced Dead at Hospital
The suspect was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to police. The father turned over his firearm to authorities and is cooperating with the investigation. Officials stated that charges are unlikely, as Lieutenant Pedro Barineau told Fox 4 the actions 'seemed to be self-defense.'
'It kind of all happened like really fast,' Barineau remarked. The Daily Mail has contacted the Garland Police Department for further comment.
Witness Recalls Incident
Tatiana Starks, manager of a nearby smoke shop, noticed the man attempting to enter other vehicles before targeting the family's car. 'You could definitely tell that he was not in his right state of mind,' she told the outlet. 'I'm just glad that the man was able to protect himself and his family. It's just a blessing that the kids and the family walked away with no injuries.'
Police confirmed that the suspect had crashed into two vehicles before attempting to illegally enter two other cars. After parking, he approached the family's vehicle. It remains unclear if the suspect was under the influence; he was unarmed. No other injuries were reported.
