ALICE, Texas — Ivan Hinojosa was shot and killed by law enforcement overnight near Alice after a high-speed car chase through several South Texas counties and subsequent foot pursuit, according to Jim Hogg County Sheriff Kiko Alarcon.
Alarcon said his deputies responded to a call in Hebbronville at about 1 a.m. related to several shots being fired on Kohler St. On the way to the scene, deputies saw a vehicle that matched the description that was given to dispatchers, Alarcon said. Deputies pulled the vehicle over on Highway 359 East, but when they approached the car, the driver took off.
A high-speed chase through Realitos, Benavides and San Diego followed, Alarcon said. Duval County, Jim Hogg County and Jim Wells County deputies, along with Texas DPS, were involved in the pursuit.
Deputies were able to lay down spike strips just outside of Alice. After the car hit the strip, Hinojosa continued for about a mile until a tire fell off the car, Alarcon said. Hinojosa then took off running down Business 281.
DPS said officers tried to de-escalate the situation and get Hinojosa to put his gun down during the pursuit, but the suspect didn't comply. He instead raised his weapon toward the officers, Jim Wells County Sheriff Daniel Bueno said.
"The officers did what they had to do," Bueno said.
Several shots were fired from Alice PD, DPS and Jim Wells officers, Bueno said. Hinojosa died at the scene. All officers involved have been placed on administrative leave.
The gun the suspect had was an MPA MAC-11, Bueno said.
Alarcon said the shooting scene in Hebbronville is still under investigation but they recovered about 15 shell casings from outside a trailer that had no one living inside.
Chief Adrian Garcia with Alice PD said that Hinojosa's actions could have easily resulted in death or injury of another officer.
"He could have easily killed one of our officers. He could've killed a trooper. He could've killed a PD officer he could've killed somebody from the sheriffs department," he said. "So again, we took our action, and we did what we felt was necessary within the law, to protect ourselves, and to protect everyone around us."
Bueno added that safety is his top priority when serving the community.
"Our officers, DPS, as well as a PD and Jim Wells County. We are prepared to take whatever action it takes in situations like this to make sure that we protect the hard-working citizens of our community," he said.