TEXARKANA, Texas -- A murder suspect also wanted in the shooting of a Bowie County deputy has died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, ending a manhunt and tense standoff that commanded the attention of several law enforcement agencies Sunday.
Hector Alejandro Pintor Aguilar was found dead early Sunday in a vacant house on Roy Road, which runs between U.S. Highway 82 and Interstate 30, west of Nash, Texas. His death culminates a weekend of violence that spanned from Hooks, Texas, to Sevier County, Arkansas, and back to Bowie County.
Aguilar, 32, was wanted in a Saturday afternoon shooting that killed Serafin Garcia Alanis, 55, of Texarkana, Arkansas, and injured a 52-year-old Texarkana woman, who remains in stable condition at an area hospital. The shooting was reported about 1:30 p.m. at a house on Private Road 82008, which is just east of the entrance to TexAmericas Center.
"It appears they were his in-laws," Sheriff Jeff Neal said Saturday afternoon of Aguilar's relationship to the victims.
Investigators have yet to determine a motive.
After the shooting, Aguilar left the area in a vehicle, crashed near Horatio, Arkansas, in Sevier County, and stole another vehicle -- a white 2005 GMC four-wheel drive truck -- at gunpoint to continue his flight, according to early information from Bowie County Sheriff's Office. He was believed to be heading north on U.S. Highway 71 at the time.
However, the search for Aguilar returned to Bowie County after Sheriff's Office Lt. Scott Lillis spotted in the GMC truck about 10:30 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of South Kings Highway and U.S. Highway 59 in Texarkana.
"As Lt. Lillis approached the vehicle from the passenger side, he was shot in the face by the suspect," according to a Sheriff's Office news release. "Witnesses observed the shooting and attempted to follow the suspect as he fled scene of the injured deputy. They were unable to maintain sight of Aguilar due to his erratic behavior."
Lillis was taken by LifeNet to CHRISTUS St. Michael Hospital for initial treatment before being transferred to the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock for specialized care. He remains in stable condition, the Sheriff's Office said.
Aguilar eventually abandoned the stolen truck near the intersection of Spur 76 and U.S. 82 near Hooks, where he stole another vehicle at gunpoint and fled the scene. Sometime later, the second vehicle was found along a wood line on the eastbound side of Interstate 30, where Aguilar was presumed to have fled on foot, according to the news release.
"The Texas Department of Criminal Justice Telford Unit provided tracking dogs that were able to track Aguilar to a vacant residence on Roy Road (County Road 2206)," the release states. "Tactical units from Texarkana Texas Police Department, Texarkana Arkansas Police Department and the Texas Department of Public Safety set up a perimeter and eventually located Aguilar within the home using a tactical robot."
Aguilar reportedly was uncooperative, which started an hours-long standoff with law enforcement.
"Using tactical cameras, the Texas DPS tactical team were able to locate Aguilar in a specific room within the home," according to the news release. "He did not respond to audio or visual stimuli, indicating he may already be deceased."
Upon entering the house, officers discovered Aguilar's body.
Justice of the Peace Nancy Talley has ordered an autopsy.
More than 75 officers from across the state line offered assistance in the search for Aguilar, including police departments from Nash, New Boston, Wake Village and the DeKalb and Red Lick school districts. The host of officers descended on Love's truck stop on Leary Road early Sunday, turning the convenience store parking lot into a command center as eager customers and employees looked on.