Neighbors praise man who allegedly shot carjacker HPD: 74-year-old man shoots Houston carjacker

Neighbors call him a hero

A southwest Houston man who told police he shot a knife-wielding carjacker Thursday morning is a getting a strong show of support from some of his neighbors.

“He was protecting us,“ said Jaime Zaldivar, who has lived next door to August Peters, 74, for several years on Carona near Wilcrest.

Peters pulled in front of the home about 6:30 a.m. when he noticed another car drive past and park along the curb across the street, police said.

Soon after Peters got out of his car, Martin Baltazar, 18, came up to him and jammed a knife against his throat, Houston police said.

“He said, ‘Give me your car or I'll kill you,' “ said Victor Senties, an HPD spokesman.

Peters reached into his car for a pistol. He began firing, with at least one round striking Baltazar in the abdomen, Houston police said.

The wounded Baltazar fled across the street, forcing his way into the home where Luis Ramos lives with his wife and brother.

Baltazar ran through the house — terrifying Ramos' wife in the bedroom — as he sought to escape.

“He said, ‘Don't touch me. Don't touch me. Move,' “ Ramos said. “I was nervous. I didn't know what to do in this case.“

Ramos said Baltazar finally found the kitchen but was unable to open the locked back door.

“He took a big chair and he hit the window,“ Ramos said.

The bleeding Baltazar climbed through the shattered window but apparently had a problem holding up his baggy trousers, Ramos said.

“He left his pants in the kitchen,“ he said.

Baltazar vaulted the backyard fence but was captured moments later by Houston police a few blocks away from where he was shot.

He was taken to Ben Taub General Hospital where he was in fair condition, officials said later Thursday.

Baltazar has been charged with aggravated robbery with bail set at $30,000.

No other injuries were reported.

August Peters could not be reached for comment later Thursday. His neighbors described him as a quiet man, friendly person.

“He's a good man. He never looks for problems,“ Zaldivar said.

Residents say they are concerned about crime in their neighborhood. Zaldivar and Ramos both said their homes have been burglarized.

mike.glenn@chron.com

dale.lezon@chron.com