One person was arrested after the shooting Tuesday in White Settlement, officials say.
WHITE SETTLEMENT, Texas — A woman remains hospitalized after being shot multiple times in what police are calling an aggravated robbery in White Settlement, officials say.
The shooting led to the arrest of 20-year-old Alejandro Carrasco Jr., who now faces a felony charge, according to officials.
According to investigators, the shooting happened around 8:11 p.m. June 24 in the 600 block of Meadow Park Drive. Officers found 19-year-old Malorie Esparza lying outside with three gunshot wounds to her chest, officials say.
While receiving medical care, Esparza told authorities she was shot by a Hispanic man wearing a black shirt and khaki pants, officials say. Paramedics rushed her to the hospital, where she underwent emergency surgery for injuries to her kidney, liver, and stomach, according to authorities.
Police say Esparza told them she had connected with someone on Instagram to buy illegal vape pens and gave the person her home address. When he arrived in a black Dodge Ram, she walked outside to meet him with $320 in cash, officials say. According to an affidavit, the suspect snatched the money from her hand, then pulled out a gun and shot her multiple times before speeding off.
As officers processed the crime scene, Fort Worth police alerted them that a man had just arrived at Medical City ER in White Settlement with a gunshot wound to his foot. Hospital staff identified the man as Alejandro Carrasco Jr., who matched the description Esparza provided, including facial tattoos, curly hair, and a short beard, according to officials. He was also wearing the same clothing Esparza gave officers at the shooting scene, officials said.
“We believe he must have had his finger on the trigger as he jumped into his truck to get away after shooting her,” White Settlement Police Chief Chris Cook said.
Investigators identified the gun used as a 10 millimeter caliber weapon.
Surveillance footage showed Carrasco walking toward the hospital from a nearby parking lot, according to police. Investigators were unable to locate his vehicle. Later, Esparza positively identified Carrasco from a photo shown to her at the hospital, officials said.
Carrasco has been charged with aggravated robbery, according to officials.
White Settlement police say Esparza remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition. Carrasco is also hospitalized but under the watch of a White Settlement police officer until doctors clear him for transport to the Tarrant County Jail, officials say.
