Houston, Texas (KTRK) – Two suspects have been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting of a man who was trying to thwart robbers outside a smoke shop in Spring Branch on March 28, according to HPD.
Murder charges have been filed against 20-year-old Daniel Medrano and 19-year-old Andres Lara for the shooting and killing of Joel Villarreal, 43, outside the Lighthouse Smoke and Vape store at 7550 Long Point Road.
Original report: Man shot dead in Spring Branch who was trying to stop shoplifters, public health says
According to investigators, HPD patrol officers were called to a shooting in a mall parking lot and found Villareal unresponsive on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound.
Villarreal was taken to hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Just 13: Family desperate for answers after a loved one was killed while trying to stop a robbery on Long Point Road
A preliminary investigation has determined that an armed robbery has just taken place. Police said Villarreal was trying to stop the two suspects, who were later identified as Medrano and Lara, which led to a shootout between them.
“A bystander tried to intervene. They got into a shootout,” Det. Chettry said, with HPD. “The passer-by was wounded and taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds,” he added.
As previously reported, ABC13 reporter Courtney Fisher spoke to a certified nursing assistant who was driving near Long Point Road, in front of a smoke shop, when she saw a bleeding Villarreal, lying in the middle of the road.
HPD said she told her friend to stop and provide assistance to the victim.
RELATED: Man sought by police after 43-year-old shot and killed while trying to stop robbers in Spring Branch
Further investigation revealed a person of interest wanted for questioning, and a photo of Andrés Lara was released on April 3.
Three days later, a subsequent investigation identified Lara and Medrano as suspects, and they were arrested and charged in their roles on Thursday, April 6.
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