MISSION, Texas — Authorities in Hidalgo County are investigating a violent series of events in rural Mission that began with a fatal shooting and ended hours later in an officer-involved incident, according to the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO).
The chain of events started around 1:47 a.m. Saturday, when deputies were dispatched to the 2400 block of Venecia Street after receiving reports of a man lying in the roadway with multiple gunshot wounds. When first responders arrived, they located the victim and immediately began lifesaving measures. Despite their efforts, the man was pronounced dead at the scene. His identity has not yet been released pending notification of next of kin.
As investigators worked the crime scene, deputies gathered evidence and canvassed the neighborhood for witnesses. HCSO officials said early findings suggested the shooting was not random, though the motive remains under investigation.
Hours later, in what authorities described as a related development, deputies became involved in a confrontation with a suspect believed to be connected to the initial shooting. Details of the encounter remain limited, but officials confirmed that the situation escalated into an officer-involved incident. No deputies were seriously injured, though law enforcement sources said the confrontation underscored the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the case.
Sheriff J.E. “Eddie” Guerra said investigators are piecing together the timeline of events to understand how the fatal shooting and the later incident are connected. “We are committed to getting to the bottom of what happened here,” Guerra said in a statement. “Our priority is always the safety of our community and the pursuit of justice for victims and their families.”
Residents in the rural neighborhood described the night as chaotic, with gunfire waking some from sleep and police activity continuing well into the morning hours. Several blocks were closed off as deputies and crime scene investigators combed the area for shell casings and other evidence.
The sheriff’s office has requested assistance from the Texas Rangers, who will be reviewing the officer-involved portion of the case in line with standard protocol. Meanwhile, deputies are continuing to investigate the fatal shooting as a homicide.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about the incidents to contact the Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office or Hidalgo County Crime Stoppers. They emphasized that community cooperation will be crucial in bringing clarity and accountability to the case.
As of Saturday evening, no arrests had been announced, and the investigation remained ongoing.
