A man who admitted to raping a 13-year-old girl was fatally shot earlier this month by police officers in southeast Houston, Texas, who were trying to arrest him, authorities said.
Hitchcock Police Department officers shot and killed George Alejandro, 54, near Mosley Road and Bryant Street, KHOU reported. The department had been investigating Alejandro for sexual assault of a child since February 16.
According to investigators, Alejandro first connected with the young girl on social media. Alejandro admitted to detectives that he eventually met with the 13-year-old near her school, after which he took her to a hotel and had sex with her throughout the day.
Authorities obtained a warrant for Alejandro’s arrest, charging him with felony aggravated sexual assault of a child.
While on their way to serve the warrant, officers spotted Alejandro in an “18-wheeler-type vehicle” and attempted to pull him over. Police followed Alejandro to a nearby parking lot, at which point Alejandro exited his vehicle with a gun in his hand.
“The suspect verbally made it clear he did not intend to go to jail,” said Police Chief Wilmon Smith, according to The Daily News.
Police said Alejandro raised his gun at the officers, and in response to the threat, two Hitchcock officers shot Alejandro.
The officers provided medical aid to Alejandro until the Houston Fire Department arrived on scene. The suspect was then transported to Memorial Hermann Hospital in the Texas Medical Center where he later died.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the Houston Police Department are investigating the incident. No officers were injured in the shooting.
