Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Almendarez was shot while confronting suspected car burglars outside the Joe V's Smart Shop in the 2900 block of FM 1960 at Aldine Westfield at about 8:35 p.m. Thursday.
"We got one male shot in the chest," first responders could be heard reporting on radio traffic.
Update 2 to shooting on 1960: It devastates us to announce our deputy has been pronounced deceased. Please keep his family and our members in your prayers. I will provide an update to media shortly outside HCA Houston NW, corner of Judiiwood & Cali. #HouNews https://t.co/yvSFViGAd1
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) April 1, 2022
Deputies said Almendarez and his wife were walking back to their truck when he saw a black, four-door Nissan Altima backed up to his vehicle. Two men were under his truck and it appeared that they were trying to steal the catalytic converter, officials said.
Gonzalez said Almendarez told his wife to stay back as he approached the suspects' car, which now had three men inside. That's when one of the three men started shooting.
The deputy was hit several times, but was able to shoot back, hitting at least two of the suspects.
The suspects then sped off.
Almendarez was transported to Houston Northwest Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Two of the suspects, 23-year-old Joshua Stewart and 19-year-old Fredarias Henry Clark, arrived at the same hospital in the same Altima from the parking lot. Both men had gunshot wounds.
Stewart is in jail.
Police are looking for a third man, believed to be a 17- to 19-year-old Black man with a medium complexion and braided hair, for questioning.
Video from the scene shows just how much gunfire there was. The windshield of the suspects' car was covered in bullet holes.
With heavy hearts, we mourn the loss of Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Darren Almendarez, 51. An agency veteran of 23 years, he served in our auto theft unit for the past year. Our thoughts & prayers go out to his wife, children, his extended family, colleagues & friends. pic.twitter.com/PvzsBQfa48
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) April 1, 2022
Gonzalez said Almendarez protected his wife in his final moments alive.
"At a personal level and as sheriff, that's evil. We've got evil individuals that are out there," Gonzalez said of the shooting.
Almendarez was a 23-year veteran with the sheriff's office. He was assigned to the auto theft division.
"Because I know him personally, professionally, I can say he would have done the same thing," Chief Deputy Edison Toquica said. "Ironically, it just happened to have been his truck."
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner released a statement Friday morning about Almendarez's death.
"I am deeply saddened by the death of Deputy Darren Almendarez. We mourn with our brothers and sisters at Harris County Sheriff's Office, and we extend our support to them as they grieve the loss of the 23-year veteran. Law enforcement is an inherently dangerous job, but what happened is unacceptable. It is a terrible day when a family trip to a grocery store ends in violence and loss of life. Deputy Almendarez will be remembered as a loyal public servant who died while protecting his wife. I ask everyone to join me in praying for the deputy's family, his coworkers, and for the senseless violence to end."
Gov. Greg Abbott also released a statement, saying that the state would be ready to provide all resources necessary to bring justice to the family and loved ones of Deputy Almendarez.
"Deputy Darren Almendarez lost his life while answering the call to serve and protect his fellow Texans, and this tragedy is a heartbreaking reminder of the sacrifices our law enforcement officers make both on and off duty. The State of Texas is ready to provide all resources necessary to bring justice to the family and loved ones of Deputy Almendarez. I ask that Texans join Cecilia and me in prayer for Deputy Almendarez's family and for the continued safety of all of our law enforcement officers across the Lone Star State."
Deputies were investigating a second crime scene less than a mile down the road at a Circle K, where investigators taped off the parking lot and towed away a SUV.
At that scene, authorities collected a gun they thought was related. However, ABC13 has learned that based on surveillance video, the weapon is not connected to this shooting.
For more on this story, follow Courtney Fischer on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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