Texas Father Shoots, Kills Mexican Illegal Immigrant in Carjacking Attempt on Family

Garland police confirmed a father shot and killed an illegal immigrant from Mexico during a carjacking attempt that targeted his family of eight, including a baby.

The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. Sunday when officers responded to a crash in which a car struck two other vehicles, the Garland Police Department said.

The at-fault driver, identified as Jose Ramirez, 30, parked at a nearby gas station. He tried and failed to take several vehicles by force in the parking lot, officials said.

Ramirez then ran across the road to a convenience store parking lot and attempted to seize the father's car.

Surveillance video obtained by FOX 4 Dallas showed Ramirez pulling the father from the driver's side and trying to climb inside. A small child ran from the back seat as family members scrambled to escape.

Ramirez closed the doors and sat in the driver's seat. The father then fired from the passenger side, police said.

Authorities took Ramirez to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No other injuries occurred.

The father remained at the scene and cooperated with investigators. Police filed no charges.

Fox News reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement for Ramirez's immigration history and comment.

Ramirez was unarmed but used force, and the father had no way to know if he carried a weapon, authorities said.

Garland Police Lt. Pedro Barineau described the shooting as self-defense. "It kind of all happened like really fast," he said.

Tatiana Starks, manager of the nearby Garland Smoke and Vape shop, told FOX 4 she saw Ramirez breaking into cars at the gas station and recorded it. She stopped recording when he headed toward the family's car after making eye contact with her.