Trending Topics

Texas cop killer charged with capital murder

First believed to be an accident, investigators discovered the man intentionally drove his car into Officer David Ortiz

635937407659623376-Officer-.jpg

Officer David Ortiz

El Paso PD Image

Associated Press

EL PASO, Texas — A 45-year-old man has been charged with capital murder after authorities say he intentionally crashed his vehicle into a West Texas police officer who was on his motorcycle at an intersection.

Investigators initially believed the fiery chain-reaction wreck March 10 that killed El Paso police Officer David Ortiz was an accident.

In a statement Thursday, police say they believe John Paul Perry “made a decision to drive his vehicle into” Ortiz’s motorcycle.

Police declined to discuss a motive in the case.

Perry was arrested in Merkel, near Abilene, on Wednesday. It was not immediately known when Perry would be returned to El Paso or if he had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

Ortiz was a nine-year veteran of the El Paso Police Department.

Copyright 2016 The Associated Press

RECOMMENDED FOR YOU