The Presidio County Sheriff’s Office put out a news release, from Chief Deputy Joel Nunez, updating the public on a the arrest of a suspect shooting along FM 170 east of Presidio early Thursday, April 3. It’s still unclear if charges will be filed against the individual.
Presidio County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to a call reporting gunshots fired on FM170 East of Presidio, relayed by U.S .Border Patrol, at approximately 6:17 AM. Border Patrol agents were monitoring footage from a camera located on FM170 East near Fort Leaton when they observed a male subject emerging from a brushy area with a handgun. The man began firing away from the agents and shouted at them, claiming he was not shooting at them but intended to harm himself.
Due to limited visibility in the dark, brushy field, the Border Patrol agents were unable to approach the subject. Around 6:35 AM, Presidio County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene and closed FM170 East for public safety, as the subject was still at large. Shortly thereafter, officers from the Presidio Police Department, Texas DPS Troopers, HSI agents, and a Border Patrol BORTAC unit arrived. A drone was deployed, and additional air support was requested to assist in locating the individual from the air.
Law enforcement officials established a unified command area on FM170 East to coordinate their response, which included US Border Patrol supervisors, Chief Deputy Sheriff Nuñez, and Presidio Police Chief [Adan “Pugi] Covos. Local schools were placed on a Shelter in Place protocol by PISD Police, with additional law enforcement securing the perimeter of each campus due to the incident’s proximity.
A report of footprints heading into town prompted a change in the search perimeter, leading US Border Patrol, Presidio Police Officers, and Sheriff’s Deputies to investigate a suspicious individual near the Presidio packing sheds.
At approximately 9:34 AM, Chief Covos and Chief Nuñez entered town to conduct a sweep of the area. Chief Covos located the subject South of the PHS Track Field and initiated a felony stop. After confirming the individual’s identity, Chief Nuñez and Chief Covos apprehended him without incident at 9:41 a.m.. The subject, Felisardo Sanchez Ortiz, 30, of Odessa, Texas, was found in possession of a recently fired 9mm pistol and admitted to firing shots earlier that morning near Fort Leaton. The subject did mention that his intention was to harm himself.
Sanchez Ortiz was transferred to the US Border Patrol investigative unit for further investigation and federal prosecution and will also face state charges.
Presidio County Sheriff’s Office and Presidio Police Department would like to express their sincere gratitude to all responding agencies for the immediate response in apprehending this individual this morning. The coverage was widespread, and the community feedback was very useful.
