LUFKIN, Texas - A teenager was airlifted to a Houston hospital after being shot outside a Lufkin dance club early on October 18th. Police have now identified and arrested a suspect in the case.
Just before 1 a.m., Lufkin Police responded to reports of a shooting outside Rodeo Disko, located in the 700 block of South Timberland Drive. When officers arrived, they found the teen lying in the parking lot near the entrance with a gunshot wound to the stomach. Officers immediately rendered aid, packing and applying pressure to the wound until EMS arrived.
According to investigators, surveillance video from nearby businesses shows a truck pulling into the parking lot. A man got out, approached the club’s entrance, and after a brief struggle, fired several shots that struck the victim. The shooter then ran back to the truck and drove away, while another man fled the scene in a separate vehicle.
The teen was airlifted to a Houston hospital around 3 a.m. and was listed in stable condition.
Detectives identified the suspect as 39-year-old Luis Gerardo Morales, also known as Luis Gerardo Morales-Ramirez, who was wanted in connection with the shooting. On Wednesday afternoon, November 5th, Nacogdoches County Sheriff’s deputies arrested Morales on unrelated charges after locating a pickup truck matching the suspect vehicle description at a residence in Center, Texas.
While deputies waited for a search warrant, Morales exited the residence and was taken into custody. A subsequent search turned up a 9mm handgun at the home. During an interview with Lufkin Police detectives, Morales reportedly confessed to the shooting.
Lufkin Police say charges for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon are expected to be filed against Morales on Thursday.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Lufkin Police at 936-633-0356 or Crime Stoppers at 936-639-TIPS. Callers may remain anonymous, and tips leading to an arrest or indictment could be eligible for a cash reward.
