By David Martin Davies, Texas Public Radio News
SAN ANTONIO – As the investigation continues into the Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter shooting that killed two Guatemalan immigrants – a South Texas DA says the most important question will never be answered.
On October 25th Texas troopers were giving chase to a pick-up truck through a deserted stretch of the Rio Grande Valley.
Also in hot pursuit- a DPS helicopter. Looking to stop the truck officers suspected was carrying a load of drugs, a sharp-shooter in the chopper opened fire. Two undocumented immigrants were killed in the gun fire. No drugs were found.
Hidalgo County district attorney Rene Guerra formed a grand jury to look into the shooting. He wants to see why the call was made to open fire.
“When the officer was cleared to shoot there was no other people in danger – and it’s always going to be a question as to was it prudent to shoot from the helicopter – was it necessary – and should the officer have done it?”
Guerra met Tuesday with Texas Rangers investigating the case. He says they are looking to document the chain of events but it’s unlikely that there will be any criminal charges. And Guerra says he thinks we won’t be hearing about any more Texas helicopter shootings.
“If I’m a betting man – I’m going to bet there’s not going to be any more shootings from a helicopter.”
However he says the DPS has not officially changed their chopper shooting policy. Guerra said he expects the DPS internal investigation into the incident to be completed by mid-January.
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