BY RITA COOK / Freelance Writer
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PALMER – Jesus Hernandez, 23, of Palmer, was arrested following a shooting investigation by the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department.
Hernandez was charged with four counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, as well as felon in possession of a firearm.
Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance last week at approximately 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12 in the 200 block of Neck Road in Palmer.
When deputies arrived, they discovered a group of young adults had driven to a residence in the area and initiated a disturbance with residents living at the Neck Road address.
During the disturbance, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department reported, “A family member who does not live at the Neck Road address retrieved a handgun and began firing toward the young adults as they fled in their vehicle.”
According to the sheriff’s evidence recovered at the scene, it indicated the shooter “ran from the residence toward the fleeing vehicle and discharged multiple rounds while moving.
“The direction of gunfire placed multiple nearby residences and vehicles in danger, creating a substantial risk to uninvolved citizens.”
Later, a second scene was identified at a commercial business on Interstate Highway 45.
In this disturbance, both Texas DPS Troopers and Ellis County Sheriff’s Deputies located the fleeing vehicle.
The sheriff’s office reported investigators had documented multiple gunshot impacts on the fleeing vehicle, and confirmed that one of the occupants had sustained a gunshot wound.
That individual was evaluated by on-scene medics and did not want to be taken to hospital.
As both crime scenes were investigated, the Ellis County Sheriff’s Department also gathered statements, which led to the arrest of Hernandez.
The shooting victim was identified as Jonathan Romero, who was also arrested for outstanding warrants not related to the shooting, but involving burglary of a vehicle and narcotics.
Both men were transported to the Wayne McCollum Detention Center and booked.
