Diego Ortiz, one of two men shot by Pasadena homeowner Joe Horn.

Chron.com – Houston Chronicle

Two men suspected of burglarizing a neighbor’s home were shot in the back by Pasadena homeowner Joe Horn after the suspects ventured into his front yard, Pasadena police disclosed Friday. Also, for the first time, investigators revealed the Nov. 14 shooting was witnessed by a plainclothes Pasadena detective, who had pulled up in an unmarked car seconds before Horn fired three shots from his 12-guage shotgun. The detective’s name was not released as the new details emerged about the controversial shootings that have outraged minority activists but also brought an outpouring of support from others. The suspects were illegal immigrants from Colombia, and one man had been deported nearly 10 years ago, authorities said.

Authorities have said they are investigating whether Diego Ortiz, 30, and Hernando Riascos Torres, 48, were part of a crime ring linked to burglaries and the use of fake immigration documents. The two — killed by Horn after he said they were trying to steal his neighbor’s property — were in the country illegally, according to Leticia Zamarripa, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Horn, 61, shot Ortiz and Torres, who went by the alias Miguel Antonio DeJesus. Horn called police after hearing breaking glass. He ignored an operator’s warning to not go outside with his gun. Horn told the operator that he did not know his neighbors well. Neighbors said the family moved into the home next to Horn’s house about four months ago. “They targeted foreign-born people,” Corbett said. “They felt they were easier victims.”Little is known about the homeowners, who have Vietnamese surnames. Activists and Horn supporters clashed Sunday when they staged dueling protests outside his home. The homeowners association is trying to prevent more protests from being held in the subdivision.

On the website is the audio of the 911 call where dispatch is trying to talk this man out of confronting the criminals. Chilling.



  1. Patrick says:

    Wow! I don’t think I’ll go burglarizing any homes in Texas.

  2. JJ says:

    Not living in America, I say, more shootings in America !

    Can only lead too good things 😉

  3. Mister Mustard says:

    #4 – Sammy

    >>Joe horn defended his country honorably
    >>that day.

    Yeah. Nothing says heroism, bravery, and self-sacrifice like shooting somebody else in the back.


3

Bad Behavior has blocked 4744 access attempts in the last 7 days.