Suspect killed, 3 officers wounded in shootout in central Laredo

The Laredo Police Department analyzes the scene of a fatal shootout between a homicide suspect and LPD officers on June 2, 2017. The Laredo Police Department analyzes the scene of a fatal shootout between a homicide suspect and LPD officers on June 2, 2017. Photo: Ulysses S. Romero/Laredo Morning Times Photo: Ulysses S. Romero/Laredo Morning Times Image 1 of / 30 Caption Close Suspect killed, 3 officers wounded in shootout in central Laredo 1 / 30 Back to Gallery

A man wanted for questioning in connection with a homicide was killed and three Laredo police officers were wounded Friday in a shootout, according to LPD.

Police said Antonio Gerardo Rodriguez exchanged gunfire with the officers in the parking lot of a Stripes convenience store located at McPherson and Hillside roads.

EMS crews took the three officers and Rodriguez to local hospitals. Rodriguez was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. The officers' conditions are unknown.

"We ask the community for prayers for the officers and their families," said Investigator Joe Baeza, LPD spokesman.

Police said in a public advisory issued at about 4:20 p.m. Friday that they were attempting to locate Rodriguez in connection with the slaying of his girlfriend.

"Mr. Rodriguez is considered armed and dangerous," police said in the advisory.

At about 5 p.m., officers saw a vehicle matching the description of the one driven by Rodriguez. It was parked outside the Stripes. Police said Rodriguez opened fire on the officers as they approached the vehicle. The officers returned fire.

"It was intense," Baeza said of the shootout.

LPD said it had been searching for Rodriguez after his girlfriend, Reyna Gonzalez Zamora, 50, was found dead at about 11:15 a.m. Friday. Her body was found when LPD conducted a welfare concern check at her apartment in the 400 block of East Travis Street.

She had been shot once in her upper torso, police said. Gonzalez was pronounced dead at the scene.