TERRELL, Texas – A Texas police officer was gunned down and killed during a traffic stop late Sunday, according to law enforcement authorities. The gunman was captured several hours later, officials confirmed.
The homicide occurred about 11 p.m. on Sunday when Officer Jacob Candanoza conducted a traffic stop in the 1600 block of S. State Highway 34, according to the Terrell Police Department, NBC 5 DFW reported.
Candanoza requested a backup officer, and within moments of an additional unit being dispatched, police received two 911 calls regarding an officer being shot. The department also received a radio transmission from a citizen who used the officer’s police radio to provide the same information.
Responding officers confirmed that Candanoza sustained critical gunshot wounds and immediately provided emergency medical aid.
According to Lt. Mary Hauger of the Terrell Police Department, Candanoza was able to provide responding officers with the suspect vehicle license plate despite being gravely wounded.
Candanoza was rushed to Baylor Scott & White Family Medical Center in Forney. Sadly, he was later pronounced dead, police said.
Meanwhile, off-duty officers and Texas state troopers eventually spotted the suspect vehicle in the Canton area in Van Zandt County, about 30 miles east of Terrell.
Law enforcement personnel searched the area by foot, with K-9s and drones, and reported that the suspect had been taken into custody around the Mill Creek Resort off Interstate 20 at about 6 a.m.
Authorities have not yet provided the identity or pending charges against the suspect, NBC 5 reported.
“We want to extend our deepest condolences to the family during this hard time,” said Lt. Hauger said.
Terrell Police Chief Arley Sansom said before early Monday morning that this has been a very difficult time for his department and that they would release more information later.
Candanoza was in his first year with the Terrell Police Department. He is survived by his wife and a young child.
