A police stop along I-30 in Collin County, Texas, escalated into a police chase and shootout, resulting in the death of one man and the seizure of 12 kg of cocaine. The incident caused the closure of westbound I-30 for several hours on Wednesday.
Sheriff Jim Skinner, part of the North Texas Sheriff’s Criminal Interdiction Unit, explained that the stop was initiated as part of their efforts to combat the influx of drugs and criminal activity flowing across the southern border into local communities. The driver of a white SUV, later identified as 36-year-old Rudy Chavira, fled the scene after the police stop and fired shots from a handgun.
As deputies approached the suspect, he continued to shoot at them, prompting the deputies to return fire. The vehicle sustained multiple bullet holes during the exchange. Chavira was fatally wounded, but no other individuals were injured.
The interdiction unit focuses on combating drug and human trafficking, with Dallas-Fort Worth serving as a hub for national distribution. The investigation into the shooting is being handled by the Texas Rangers, while the interdiction unit and DEA are leading the drug investigation.
Sheriff Skinner commended the deputies involved in the incident, highlighting the potential dangers of the densely populated Dallas-Fort Worth area. The seized cocaine has an estimated street value of approximately $200,000.
