HARRIS COUNTY, Texas — A Harris County judge denied bond for the second man charged with capital murder in the shooting death of deputy Fernando Esqueda during a hearing on Wednesday morning.
Prosecutors said they will ask for the death penalty if Dremone Francis, 26, is convicted.
He and Ronnie Palmer, 44, are accused of ambushing and killing Esqueda, 28, on Thursday, July 11. Prosecutors said 41 shell casings from two different weapons were found at the scene.
"We do know there were two weapons used and we do know after a search of the residence Francis was living or staying at the time of the murder, we did find ammunition that matched one of the murder weapons," prosecutor Chris Condon said.
Francis is also charged with tampering with evidence. According to prosecutors, Palmer gave Francis a pistol and a mini Draco firearm and told him to get rid of them after the shooting.
"A witness stated the defendant dropped off a pistol and a Draco in a black trash bag and told them the guns were hot," the prosecutor said during Palmer's hearing.
They said Francis and Palmer knew each other through their girlfriends and were even neighbors.
Deputy shot while searching for aggravated assault suspect
According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, Palmer attacked an employee on July 10 at a Little Caesars Pizza on Wallisville Road because he was angry about his order.
The victim was able to identify the attacker's vehicle by make, model, and license plate.
A detective put the license plate into the “FLOCK” camera system and saw that the suspect vehicle had a history of hits in the system in a specific location, the sheriff said. Deputies went to that location but did not find the car.
Gonzalez said Esqueda later went back to the location early Thursday and reported that he found the suspect’s vehicle but not the attacker, the sheriff said. Esqueda was ambushed as he was calling in the vehicle.
Other detectives rushed to the location on Italian Cypress Trail and found Esqueda's undercover vehicle riddled with bullet holes, the sheriff said. The deputy had been shot multiple times and died at the hospital.
A citywide manhunt for his killer began immediately. Gonzalez said they had a good idea of who the gunman was and SWAT teams were stationed at two locations.
Palmer's photo was released as a person of interest and he was arrested on Thursday night. Francis was arrested a few days later.
Deputy Fernando Esqueda
A procession was held Monday morning for Esqueda, a five-year veteran of HCSO. He was also a member of HCSO's Violent Person Task Force which hunts down child rapists, homicide suspects and other violent offenders.
“He was dedicated to protecting and serving the residents of Harris County," Sheriff Gonzalez said. "We pray with Deputy Esqueda's family, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time. Deputy Esqueda’s commitment to duty and his sacrifice will always be remembered."
Esqueda and hundreds of other law enforcement officers were working overtime to help keep the city safe after Hurricane Beryl left millions without power.
He will be laid to rest Friday at the Co-Cathedral of the Sacred Heart at 10 a.m.