- A Texas father fatally shot a suspected carjacker attempting to steal his vehicle while family members were inside.
- The incident occurred in Garland, Texas, after the suspect crashed into two vehicles and tried to force entry into several cars.
- Garland police are investigating the shooting as a potential self-defense case, as the father cooperated with authorities after the incident.
GARLAND, TEXAS — Months after a Texas man was sentenced after driving nearly 40 miles with a severed body in his passenger seat, another deadly vehicle-related incident in the state is drawing attention after a father fatally shot a suspected carjacker who allegedly tried to steal his car while his family was still inside.
The incident happened around 3:30 p.m. on Sunday near Highway 66 and Dairy Road in Garland, about 18 miles outside downtown Dallas. According to police, the chaos began when a driver crashed into 2 other vehicles before leaving the scene and heading toward a nearby gas station.
Suspect Allegedly Tried to Take Several Vehicles
Garland police said Ramirez parked near the gas station after the crash and began trying to take several vehicles by force. Those attempts were unsuccessful.
He then crossed the road toward a nearby convenience store parking lot, where a family was inside a white sedan. Surveillance footage reportedly showed Ramirez approaching the driver’s side of the vehicle before a struggle broke out with the father.
As the confrontation unfolded, family members began running from the car. Video from the scene showed at least one child fleeing from the back seat while the father struggled with the suspect.
Father Opens Fire During Struggle
According to investigators, Ramirez tried to force his way into the family’s vehicle. During the struggle, the father produced a firearm and fired multiple rounds.
Ramirez was struck and later taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
No one inside the targeted vehicle was injured.
Garland police said the father remained at the scene, cooperated with investigators, and turned over his weapon. Authorities said no charges had been filed against him.
Police Reviewing Case as Self-Defense
Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau said investigators are reviewing the shooting as a possible self-defense case.
“That driver was defending himself and was fighting with that suspect,” Barineau said, according to local reports. “The car was occupied by several children as well as two other female adults.”
Police said Ramirez was unarmed, but they also noted that he was allegedly using force during the attempted carjacking. Investigators said the father had no way of knowing whether the suspect had a weapon at the time.
Authorities are still investigating why Ramirez allegedly behaved the way he did before the fatal shooting.
Witness Says Suspect Was Acting Erratically
Tatiana Starks, a manager at a nearby smoke and vape shop, told local media that she saw the suspect acting strangely before the shooting.
“You could definitely tell that he was not in his right state of mind,” Starks said.
She said she was relieved the family escaped without injury.
“It’s just a blessing that the kids and the family walked away with no injuries,” she added.
The shooting has drawn strong reactions from residents, with some saying the father appeared to be acting in a split-second effort to protect his family.
To view more cases involving shocking vehicle-related crimes and deadly confrontations, check out our video here:
