A Texas police officer was shot and killed on Monday after he got engaged in an exchange of gunfire while driving to work to start his shift, police said, adding that the suspect is still on the run.
Acevedo said the sergeant got involved in the exchange of gunfire while he was inside his car in plain clothes. A shooting then erupted between Rios and the suspected gunman, described as a Hispanic male in his 30s. The details around what prompted the shooting are unclear.
Rios got injured in the gunfire and sought help in a nearby hotel where he collapsed. He was pronounced deceased at the scene, Acevedo said. It is unclear if the suspected shooter was struck by gunfire as well.
The Houston Police Sergeant was a 25-year veteran with the department and a father of four children. Acevedo sent a condolence message for the fallen officer and his colleague on Twitter, adding a picture of him.
"Our hearts are broken over the death of HPD Sergeant Sean Rios who was shot and killed during an exchange of gunfire," the caption of the post reads. "We will never forget him and will see his 4 children, family, and friends through this painful loss. RIP”
Detectives have launched an investigation and the police chief said they are currently following leads that were not released to protect the investigation.
Acevedo did provide a description of two suspected vehicles, a black pickup, and a four-door Mercedes Benz. He said the Mercedes has already been recovered and is currently being investigated while investigators work on locating the black pickup.
The gunman was described as a "heavily tattooed" Hispanic male in his mid-to-late 30s who is between 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet and wearing a white t-shirt and dark pants.
"We're going to capture you. So, do yourself a favor and turn yourself in because we are going to catch you," Acevedo told reporters on Monday. "We have leads and we're going to catch you. And the best thing you can do if you know this person is have them turn themselves in or call the police, so we have no more bloodshed."
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner also joined the police chief during the briefing and called the incident "a tragic case," adding that it has been "a very rough year in our city."
"I'm asking the city to pray for this family to lift them up. And then I want the city to pray for the police officers," Turner said. And then I want people in this city to pray for this city because this has been a crazy year."
Rios' four children are aged between the age of 9 and 17, Acevedo said. He also leaves behind his wife, parents, brothers, and two cousins.
Late last month, Police Sergeant Harold Preston was shot and killed while responding to a domestic violence call. He was preparing for his retirement after serving duty with the HPD for 41 years.