PEARLAND, Texas — Two people have been arrested in connection with Sunday's flea market shooting in Pearland. The mass shooting left a child dead and four people injured. The shooter accused in the case is still on the run, police said.
Police said at least three of the victims, including the 10-year-old boy who died, were innocent bystanders caught in the crossfire of a shootout at Cole's Flea Market.
David Negrete, 19, is wanted on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and he should be considered "armed and dangerous," police said in an updated statement. Negrete was identified after police interviewed witnesses and victims and looked at surveillance videos.
"This is very, very important that we get this person in custody as soon as possible," Pearland PD spokesman C. Rogers said during a news conference Monday.
Julianna Espino, 18, and Cruz Meza, 18, are charged with tampering with evidence and making false statements. Espino is being held in the Brazoria County Jail. Meza was shot at the flea market. It wasn't immediately known if he was still it the hospital.
Family members identified the little boy killed as Francisco Vicente Duarte whose nickname was "Chente." He was at the flea market helping his mom who works there.
They said the injured innocent bystanders included a 14-year-old girl and a 37-year-old man.
"The 16-year-old and an 18-year-old male are continuing to be looked into into their involvement into the shooting that happened at Cole's Flea Market," Rogers said. "Again, they're being actively investigated into their role, if any, in what happened."
NEWS CONFERENCE: PPD names suspect in deadly flea market shooting
What happened
Police were sent to Cole's Antique Village and Flea Market at 1014 North Main after a report of shots fired around 5:30 p.m. on Nov. 12.
All of the victims were rushed to hospitals in Houston and Clear Lake but the 10-year-old boy didn't survive.
Homicide detectives believe at least two to three people were involved in an altercation that led to the shootout. Two to three handguns were fired.
Rogers said it's a tragedy for the victims and their families, as well as others who were at the flea market, including people who make a living there.
"Tragic and senseless. That kind of stuff doesn't happen in Pearland and it's a very sad day," Rogers said.
$15,000 reward
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Monday that the state will add $10,000 to the $5,000 reward offered by Brazoria County Crime Stoppers for a total of $15,000 for information leading to the shooters.
"A 10-year-old child was killed in a senseless matter, so any support we can get, whether it's financially or the public, is very welcome in this case," Rogers said. "Again, we deserve justice for this young person."
"Texas mourns the loss of a precious child following the devastating tragedy in Pearland yesterday, and our hearts are with the four other victims in the hospital as they recover from their injuries," Abbott said in a release.
To be eligible for the reward, the state said to do one of the following:
- Call the Texas Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-252-TIPS (8477)
- Submit a web tip through the Texas 10 Most Wanted website or Facebook page
- Submit a tip through the DPS Mobile App
Pearland police also ask anyone who knows anything about the case to call their tip line at 281-997-4211.