This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/aug/29/sherriffs-deputy-shot-dead-in-houston

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Sherriff's deputy shot dead in Houston Manhunt continues after sheriff's deputy shot dead in Houston
(about 9 hours later)
A sheriff’s deputy in uniform died after he was shot while filling up his patrol car at a suburban Houston gas station on Friday night, police said. A sheriff’s deputy in uniform has died after he was shot multiple times from behind while filling up his patrol car at a suburban Houston gas station. A manhunt for the suspect continued on Saturday morning, according to authorities.
Harris county sheriff’s office spokesman Ryan Sullivan said a man approached the deputy from behind and fired multiple shots. Once the deputy fell to the ground, the suspect fired more shots. Deputy Darren Goforth, 47, was pumping gas into his vehicle at about 8.30pm on Friday when a man approached him from behind and fired multiple shots, Harris County sheriff’s office spokesman Ryan Sullivan said. Once the deputy fell to the ground, the suspect fired more shots.
Police said they had a description of the male suspect, who was driving a red or maroon Ford Ranger truck, and had begun an intensive search. Police described the suspect as a dark-complexioned male believed to be between 20 and 25 years old, and about 5ft 10in to 6ft. He was wearing a white t-shirt and red shorts and driving a red or maroon pickup-style truck with an extended cab.
The identity of the sheriff’s deputy was not immediately released but he was described as a 10-year veteran of the force. Police said an intensive search for the suspect was ongoing on Saturday morning.
No motive was determined for the shooting. Harris County sheriff Ron Hickman said Goforth, who was a 10-year veteran of the force, had a wife and two children.
“In my 45 years in law enforcement, I can’t recall another incident so cold-blooded and cowardly,” Hickman said.
Sheriff’s office spokesman Thomas Gilliland said Goforth had traveled to the Chevron station where the shooting happened, after earlier responding to a routine car accident.
“He was pumping gas into his vehicle and the male suspect came up behind him and shot the deputy multiple times,” Gilliland told the Houston Chronicle. “The deputy fell to ground. The suspect came over and shot the deputy again multiple times as he lay on the ground.”
He said Goforth died at the scene. Detectives were checking security camera video for possible clues.
“We are actively searching for suspect right now,” Gilliland said. “I can tell you with diligence and justice the suspect will be caught. And he will be brought to justice … This is a very callous individual.”
Harris County sheriff’s deputies and homicide investigators joined officers from other agencies, including the Texas department of public safety and the Houston police department, in searching for the suspect.
“This is a very tough moment right now for the Harris County sheriff’s office,” Gilliland said. “Keep us in your prayers and in your thoughts.”
Bob Goerlitz, president of the Harris County Deputies Organisation, said the incident was “shocking”.
“We’ve been warned of things like this,” he said, “because of public sentiment nationally and events over the last few years.
“It’s just horrific. That’s the only way to describe it.”