Armed Suspect

For Immediate Release
Update: July 21, 2022

Suspect Identified in Shooting and Charged with Multiple Felonies

The suspect involved in this incident has been identified as 23-year-old Eric Zuniga Vega Jr. of Magnolia. Mr. Vega Jr. is currently in protective custody at the hospital and is listed as stable. Mr. Vega Jr. is facing a charge of Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant with a $150,000 bond, and a charge of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm by a Felon with a $6,000 bond assigned to that offense.

Booking photo of Eric Zuniga Vega Jr.


Information Source
Specialist Lee Knudsen
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Administrative Services Division

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ORIGINAL RELEASE
July 15, 2022

Multiple Agencies Respond to Armed Subject in Magnolia

On Friday July 15, 2022 at about 7:00pm, Officers with the Magnolia Police Department were dispatched to Executive Inn & Suites located at 17707 FM1488 in Magnolia in reference to a welfare check. Montgomery County dispatch received a call from an unknown male who sounded confused, incoherent, and was possibly intoxicated. Dispatch was advised that there was a male on scene armed with a shotgun. At that time, Deputies with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, Precinct 3 Constables, and Troopers from the Department of Public Safety were also dispatched to assist. Units located the individual, a 23 year old Hispanic male, and found that he was in fact armed with what appeared to be a shotgun. A perimeter was established, and nearby roads were shutdown.
It was determined that the male was known to law enforcement, and had a history of mental illness. A mental health Deputy with the Montgomery County Constable Precinct 1 also responded to the scene to assist in de-escalating the situation.

At about 8:15pm, as the responders were attempting to talk the male into surrendering peacefully, he emerged from the room with the weapon in hand, barrel raised toward the officers. Fearing for their lives, the officers discharged their weapons striking him several times. After the weapon was secured, the officers immediately rendered life-saving aid until EMS personnel could arrive. The male was then transported to Memorial Herman – The Woodlands Hospital where he is listed in stable condition.

This incident is currently under investigation by the Texas Department of Public Safety – Texas Rangers, The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office.

Information Source
Specialist Lee Knudsen
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office
Administrative Services Division

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