BRAZORIA COUNTY, Texas — A manhunt is underway for a man accused of throwing a brick through a rideshare driver’s car window and then firing shots at vehicles in Brazoria County. Two people were injured in the shooting.
The series of events all started a little before midnight. Investigators said the man – identified as 26-year-old Juan Mata – threw a brick through a Lyft driver's window after being dropped off in Rosharon.
Mata then stole a vehicle and began following another driver, according to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. That driver’s vehicle was shot at near the Suncreek Estates subdivision, but no one was hurt.
That wasn’t the case in another shooting. According to the sheriff’s office, Mata fired at a second vehicle, hitting both the driver and a passenger inside. Both victims were flown to the hospital with injuries that were serious, but not life-threatening.
"Anytime you have multiple connected crime scenes, it is certainly concerning and it’s something that we take very seriously," Madison Polston, with the Brazoria County Sheriff's Office, said.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office released a photo of the vehicle they said Mata was in during the crime spree. It's below.
Neighbors said they weren't sure what was going on when they heard the shots ring out.
"Sometimes out here in the rural area people just shoot guns for fun. No idea, had no idea it was that serious," a neighbor who didn't want to be identified said. "That’s just crazy. It’s very unfortunate for that to happen especially around this area. It’s pretty peaceful around here."
They ask anyone who knows anything about where Mata may be or witnessed any of these crimes overnight to call them at 979-864-0522.
Mata has connections to the Richmond, Missouri City and Rosharon areas. He’s considered armed and dangerous and if you see him, you’re asked to call 911 immediately.