Public Safety
Public Safety news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
Public Safety2 killed and 3 injured in shootings near a shopping mall north of Dallas, police say
On May 5, 2026, a shooting at K Towne Plaza in Carrollton, Texas, left two people dead and three injured. The suspect, 69-year-old Seung Han Ho, knew the victims and was arrested after a brief foot chase about four miles away. Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo confirmed that the incident stemmed from a known business relationship, not random violence. The three injured individuals are reported to be in stable condition. The area, known as Koreatown, has a significant Korean American population and is home to various businesses and churches. The FBI is assisting local law enforcement with the investigation.
Public SafetyWillacy County maintenance worker caught performing lewd act inside woman apartment, records say
A maintenance worker at the Willacy County Housing Authority, Noe Perez Vasquez, 57, was arrested for criminal trespass after being caught on a Ring camera performing a lewd act in a woman's apartment on April 7. The woman, who was at work, received a motion alert and saw Vasquez on her couch. He entered through the rear door without permission, and there were no scheduled maintenance requests for her unit. After being confronted by deputies, Vasquez initially denied the allegations but later admitted to the act. He has since been released from jail after posting bond.
Public Safety'They left too soon': Alamo brothers killed in California crash
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A South Texas family is mourning the loss of their two loved ones who were killed in a crash in California on Sunday. Rene Arredondo Jr., 26, and Randy Arredondo, 25, two brothers from Alamo, were ejected from a GMC Sierra after the driver allegedly fell asleep at the wheel and
Public SafetyWoman arrested, 2 inmates face additional charges in jail drug smuggling scheme: CCSO
OLIMITO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A woman was taken into custody, and two inmates face additional charges for their alleged roles in a scheme to smuggle narcotics into jail, according to a news release from the Cameron County Sheriff's Office. Kassandra Michelle Larose, 33, and inmates Victor Hugo Hernandez Jr., 33, and Michael Molina, 29, were charged
Public SafetyFormer Sauceda Middle School security guard kissed student by band hall: Records
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A criminal complaint obtained by ValleyCentral details what led to the arrest of a former security guard at Sauceda Middle School in Donna, accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student. Francisco San Roman, 50, of Donna, was arrested in April on charges of online solicitation of a minor under
Public SafetyK-9 Officer Yak credited with locating drugs, cash during traffic stops
CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Cameron County District Attorney's Office is praising one of its K-9 officers for assisting with two traffic stops that led to the seizure of concealed drugs and currency tied to criminal activity. The traffic stops were conducted by the Cameron County DA Special Investigations Unit last week in two separate
Public SafetyLa Villa Secures $919K for Advanced New Fire Engine
Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) announced the allocation of $919,000 for the La Villa Fire Department, enabling the purchase of a new firetruck and firefighting equipment. This funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, which Gonzalez voted for and was signed into law. He emphasized the importance of this investment for improving emergency response times, which can be crucial in life-threatening situations. In total, Gonzalez secured nearly $13 million for 15 community projects in South Texas aimed at enhancing public safety and supporting local needs.
Public SafetyTexas Man Convicted of Arming Cartels in Large-Scale Firearms Case
A federal jury in Del Rio, Texas, convicted Bobby Brandon Galvan, 30, on two counts of firearms trafficking linked to the La Nueva Familia Michoacana cartel. Evidence showed he straw purchased 24 AK-47 rifles, which were sent to Mexico for cartel use. Galvan was arrested on July 29, 2025, and indicted on August 20. He faces up to 40 years in prison for each count. This case is part of a larger federal initiative, Operation Take Back America, aimed at dismantling transnational criminal organizations and preventing illegal firearms trafficking. 18 co-defendants have already pleaded guilty.
Public SafetyWater main line breaks in Rio Hondo, city says
RIO HONDO, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The main water line for the city of Rio Hondo has broken, city officials announced on social media Tuesday afternoon. City officials stated that work crews are working to resolve the issue as soon as possible. The city did not provide a time when the issue would be resolved. This is
Public Safety2 killed and 3 injured in shootings near a shopping mall north of Dallas, police say
CARROLLTON, Texas (AP) — A man shot five people in Texas on Tuesday, killing two of them, at a shopping center north of Dallas, police said. It was not a random act of violence and the victims knew the attacker, Carrollton Police Chief Roberto Arredondo said. “We don’t know exactly what the meeting was about,
Public Safety2 juveniles in critical condition after hit-and-run crash near Cameron County boat ramp: DPS
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two juveniles are in critical condition after a Sunday hit-and-run crash on Highway 48 in Cameron County, according to a spokesperson from the Texas Department of Public Safety. At approximately 2:26 a.m. Sunday, a DPS trooper responded to a two-vehicle crash on Highway 48, Mile Marker 572, near the Jaime J. Zapata
Public SafetyMotorcyclist involved in chase before deadly Mission crash, DPS says
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — A motorcyclist was involved in a chase before a deadly crash in Mission over the weekend, according to a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Public Safety. As ValleyCentral previously reported, the crash involved two motorcycles and occurred at 3:45 a.m. Sunday on the 900 block of the expressway. According to DPS,
Public SafetyCollin Co. Capital Murder Suspect Named Featured Fugitive for May
Hassan Haitham Muhsen, a 20-year-old fugitive from Frisco, has been named the Featured Fugitive for May by Texas 10 Most Wanted. He is wanted for capital murder in connection with a robbery and shooting incident in McKinney that occurred in January 2025. After cutting off his electronic ankle monitor, he fled the area on April 24, 2026. A reward of $6,000 is available for tips leading to his arrest this month, along with an additional $5,000 from the U.S. Marshals Service. Muhsen is 5'11" tall, weighs around 120 pounds, and has tattoos on his neck and hands.
Public SafetyEleven Arrested as DPS Targets Human Trafficking in Central Texas
In a recent operation targeting human trafficking, the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) arrested eleven men in Bell County, including four active-duty military personnel. Over three days, suspects engaged in explicit online conversations with individuals posing as minors aged 13 to 16. Nine men were charged with Solicitation of Prostitution of a Person Under 18, while two faced charges for Online Solicitation of a Minor. The operation underscores the collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement to combat human trafficking. Victims or those with information can contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.
Public SafetySuspect in Attempted Murder of Trump Faces New Charge of Assault
A federal grand jury filed a new charge on Tuesday against the man accused of attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner. Cole Tomas Allen now faces an assault charge against a U.S. official after allegedly firing at a Secret Service agent while the agent was going through security at the Washington Hilton hotel. Federal prosecutor Jeanine Pirro previously reported that the shot struck the agent's bulletproof vest, but he survived. Allen had already been charged in a criminal complaint with three other counts: attempted murder of the President of the United States, Donald Trump, transporting a firearm and ammunition in interstate commerce with the intent to commit a felony, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime.
Public Safety'Student and staff safe': Secure lifted at Treasure Hills Elementary, district says
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Treasure Hills Elementary was briefly put in a secure status on Tuesday morning due to law enforcement activity in the area, according to the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District and Harlingen Police Department. The secure status has since been lifted, and all students and staff are safe, the district said in
Public SafetyDeath Penalty for Former FedEx Driver in the Murder of Athena Strand in 2022
DALLAS, Texas – On Tuesday, Tanner Horner was sentenced to death for the murder of 7-year-old Athena Strand. A Tarrant County judge issued the death sentence, which will be carried out by lethal injection. While awaiting this, Horner is not eligible for parole. This verdict comes after nearly three weeks of trial. CASE SUMMARY The murder of Athena Strand occurred in November 2022. At that time, her parents reported her missing, and her body was later found in a creek near their home in Wise County. Tanner Horner, a former FedEx driver, pleaded not guilty during a March 2023 arraignment, despite having confessed to police that he killed the girl. According to a detention document, Horner told police that he accidentally hit her with his delivery vehicle. During the trial, it was revealed that the former package driver coldly admitted to killing the girl. He had been arrested hours before the crime when investigators already had visual evidence of him putting the girl into the truck alive. This contradicted his initial account, which claimed he had backed over her and took her away in a panic. Images shown in court indicated the false location where he allegedly abandoned the body.
Public SafetyManhunt: Authorities Search for Veteran Accused of Attempting to Shoot His Wife
An intense manhunt is underway as Tennessee authorities search for a retired special forces veteran accused of shooting his wife during a domestic dispute early Friday morning. The Stewart County Sheriff's Office reported that they are 'actively searching' for Craig Berry, who is believed to be armed, in connection with an incident that occurred at his home in Dover, Tennessee. Officers arrived in the area around 1:30 a.m. on Friday; however, according to the sheriff's office, Berry fled into a nearby forest before they arrived. Berry's wife was taken to a medical facility, but her condition is unknown.
Public SafetyElderly Man Allegedly Caused Multi-Vehicle Accident at Alamo Flea Market
A multi-vehicle accident that occurred early in the morning at the Alamo Flea Market resulted in one person hospitalized and damage to several vehicles. According to the Alamo Police Department, the driver involved, an elderly man, struck at least four vehicles in the parking area. Authorities indicated that the man allegedly did not have a driver's license at the time of the incident. During the accident, one person in the parking lot was injured and taken to a hospital; however, the injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening. Police added that the alleged responsible party was cited at the scene following the crash and received a ticket.