Southlake Shooting: Investigators Look for Clues, Possible Cartel Connections

Southlake shooting: Police are seeking a gunman who fatally shot a man sitting in an SUV in the town square of an upscale North Texas city.
Southlake Shooting: Investigators Look for Clues, Possible Cartel Connections
Zachary Stieber
5/23/2013
Updated:
5/23/2013

Southlake shooting: Police are seeking a gunman who fatally shot a man sitting in an SUV in the town square of an upscale North Texas city.

Southlake police on Thursday sought clues to the shooting of a 43-year-old man as he sat in the parked vehicle with his wife in the shopping district.

Southlake police Chief Stephen Mylett says authorities are seeking a motive but it appears the victim was targeted Wednesday night. His name wasn’t immediately released.

Investigators say another vehicle pulled up to the SUV, a gunman got out and fired several shots then hopped back into his vehicle with another person and they drove away. Police believe one suspect was wearing a mask.

Federal agents involved in the investigation are looking for possible drug cartel connections, according to NBC. 

Mylett said his investigators are consulting with federal agencies DEA, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security. 

“I don’t want to speculate on the motivation of the suspects but everything we’re receiving is this is not a random shooting,” he said. “This was a targeted incident.” 

It was the first murder in the suburb in 15 years. 

“I’m very surprised, very shocked,” said Rachel Fowle, who was shopping at the town square. “It’s very unsettling it would happen in the middle of the day in such a populated area.”

The victim remains anonymous as of right now.

Surveillance video from nearby businesses will be reviewed.

Southlake is 15 miles northeast of Fort Worth.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.