Deputy shot dead while filling tank at gas station near Houston


Update: 4:45 p.m. A suspect was arrested and will be charged with killing a deputy ambushed at a gas station in Houston.

Shannon J. Miles, 30, was arrested by Harris County Sheriff's Office investigators early Saturday morning.

So far, investigators have found no motive other than deputy Darren Goforth was wearing a uniform, officials said. The incident appears to be unprovoked. There was no previous contact between the officer and Miles. Goforth may have been a target only because he wore a uniform, officials said.

"We have not been able to extract any details regarding a motive at this point," they said during a press conference Saturday afternoon.

Investigators still are poring over evidence including witness statements, officials said.

"Routine research led our deputies to arresting this suspect, bringing justice and peace to our deputies and community," officials said in a statement.

Miles has a previous record which includes charges of trespassing and resisting arrest.

Previously:

A sheriff's deputy filling up the tank of his patrol car at a gas station near Houston was gunned down by an unknown assailant who walked up behind him and shot him multiple times, authorities said Friday.

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Harris County Sheriff's Office Deputy Thomas Gilliland said the gunman walked up behind the uniformed Deputy Darren Goforth, 47, and shot him repeatedly. After the deputy fell to the ground, the gunman stood over him and shot him again multiple times, Gilliland said.

Witnesses said the assailant, a male about 5 feet 11 inches tall with a dark complexion, fled the scene in a dark red Ford Ranger.

KHOU reported that a man had been detained overnight for questioning overnight, and there were rumors that a suspect was in custody. However, at an afternoon press conference, Sheriff Ron Hickman said no arrests had been made in the case and they were seeking the public's help in the case.

Gilliland said the shooting appeared to be a random act against the deputy, a 10-year veteran of the force. He was married and the father of two children.

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