A Good Samaritan was killed after chasing a suspect who was holding a woman at gunpoint in Texas, according to local authorities and family members.
Officers said the shooting took place at the Deerbrook Mall in Humble, Texas, on Sunday. They were told about a disturbance in the parking lot of the mall after a man allegedly pulled a gun on a woman, ABC News reported.
When officers responded, the suspect started to run. But a bystander, Brian Marksberry, a father of two, saw the altercation and attempted to intervene, reported KTRK.
“‘Somebody’s gotta get this guy’… That’s exactly what he said. ‘Somebody’s gotta get him,'” Marksberry told his wife before he attempted to intervene, according to a family member speaking to the station.
Police said the initial incident began as a domestic dispute between the suspect and the woman, who was described as his girlfriend.
“He started running from the officer, a Good Samaritan saw the officer chasing him and attempted to help and tackle the suspect,” said Humble Police Lieutenant Eric Squier, reported Click2Houston.
Two officers fired at the suspect, who was not identified and later died from the injuries. It’s unclear how many shots were fired.
Both the suspect and Marksberry were taken to the hospital, where Marksberry also died from his injuries, Click2Houston reported.
“It’s horrible anytime somebody tries to help, and this happens to them,” Squier told the local television station. “They have a good heart and try and do the right thing, and it ends up costing them their life.”
A Facebook page that appears to belong to Marksberry suggested that he worked for a drilling company.
“I know he had a heart of gold and he helped anywhere he could but today just shouldn’t have been the day,” said Jacqueline Marksberry, the victim’s mother, according to KTRK. “I just miss him,” she added. “And now I’m not going to get the phone call every day that I always got … My baby’s gone.”
ABC reported that he was the father of two young children, aged 3 and 8. “He was the best father anybody could ever want,” his mother said, reported KTRK. “He loved his children. He always went out, done things with them, played ball … I’m never going to see him again.”
The Humble Police Department said it is investigating the shooting and both officers will be placed on administrative duty during the investigation.
