MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Texas — A wanted murder suspect shot and killed an innocent bystander before taking his own life as deputies north of Houston moved in to make an arrest Friday morning.
Roderick Bowers, 52, was wanted out of Gulfport, Mississippi on homicide, aggravated kidnapping and aggravated domestic violence charges. He's accused of killing a man who was dating his ex-girlfriend last weekend. He also shot his ex and kidnapped her before fleeing to Texas.
According to the Montgomery County Precinct 3 Constables Office, multiple agencies tracked down Bowers and surrounded the Harmony Park Apartments, near Spring, at about 7 p.m. Thursday.
A perimeter was set up around the complex, and no one was allowed to enter or exit. Authorities said Bowers was considered armed and dangerous. Officials warned people in the area to remain inside their homes and away from the area.
“We had no idea what was going on until we were evacuated to the club house — and we share a wall," one resident told KHOU 11 News.
The Montgomery County Sheriff's Office said the suspect was tracked down to one of the units, and at about midnight multiple attempts were made to contact him. The gunman did not respond, however.
At about 12:30 a.m. Friday a Montgomery County SWAT team attempted to enter the apartment, and three gunshots were heard. A remote robot was then sent in, confirming two bodies were inside.
Deputies said it appeared Bowers shot and killed a 52-year-old man, believed to be an innocent bystander with no prior connections to the suspect, before he shot and killed himself.
The name of the victim has not yet been released.
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