On May 31, 2016, Rodrigo Linares, 22, was killed during a chaotic shooting incident that occurred in the West Houston area. The violence began early in the morning and involved a gunman who went on a rampage near Memorial Drive and Wilcrest Drive. The suspect, later identified as Dionisio Garza III, was a military veteran with a history of anti-government sentiment. The shootout involved multiple law enforcement agencies, and Garza fired indiscriminately for nearly an hour, resulting in several casualties. He was eventually killed by a SWAT officer, bringing an end to the deadly rampage.
The shooting spree began when Garza approached a car wash on Memorial Drive and fatally shot a man in his car. This led to a prolonged period of chaos as Garza, armed with an AR-15 and other weapons, fired upon police officers and bystanders. Three bystanders, two men, and a woman were injured, along with two Harris County constable's deputies. One deputy was saved by his bulletproof vest, which successfully stopped a bullet to his chest. The scene also included a fire at a nearby gas station, which may have been caused by a stray bullet hitting a pump.
The incident caused widespread fear in what is normally a quiet, middle-class neighborhood. Residents described the confusion and terror they experienced as they tried to seek shelter, while police and SWAT teams worked to secure the area and stop the gunman. Eventually, the standoff ended when a SWAT officer fatally shot Garza. The motive for the attack remained unclear, but authorities were investigating possible ties to Garza's anti-government beliefs and military background. The neighborhood was left shaken, and memorials were placed at the scene to honor those affected.
