Not certain of the immigration status of the individuals involved.

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Gunfire Erupts During Fort Bend Cockfight; 1 Man Killed, 1 Wounded
by Bob Dunn, Sep 03, 2006, 03 06 pm


One man was killed and a second wounded Saturday night after an argument erupted at a cockfight in rural Fort Bend County.

Jose Alfredo Morales, 32, of Los Fresnos, was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot in the back, according to Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Terriann Carlson. Jose Ramon Jauregue, 23, of Corpus Christi, was shot in the leg and abdomen, and was transported by life-flight helicopter to Memorial Hermann Hospital in Houston, where he was in stable condition on Sunday.

Sheriff’s detectives are looking for a man driving a late-model black Chevrolet Silverado who is suspected in the shooting, according to sheriff’s reports.

The incident began during a cockfight attended by about 100 people, held in the 6600 block of Beard Road in southern Fort Bend County, about a mile west of Brazos Bend State Park.

At about 9:45 p.m. Saturday, an argument broke out over which rooster won one of the fights, a sheriff’s report stated. “The suspect, irate, displayed an unknown type firearm and began shooting at two victims. The two victims fled the area toward a vehicle.” Morales was shot in the back and had died by the time sheriff’s deputies arrived at 10:07 p.m.

The sheriff’s report described the suspect only as “Rudy.” He was last seen leaving the scene of the shooting in the Silverado, and is described as an Hispanic man in his late 20s, with short black hair, and very muscular build, about 5 feet, 11 inches tall and weighing 220 pounds. He was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. According to the sheriff’s report, the man has a tattoo on his right bicep, of an eagle perched on a cactus with a snake in its mouth, as depicted on the Mexican flag.

Carlson said the site of the cockfight was remote and wooded. All that could be seen from the roadway was a gate, and sheriff’s deputies had to knock the gate down to gain entry and search for more shooting victims.

None were found, however, deputies discovered several dead roosters. They also found four “injured birds with razors, that had to be put down,” and eight roosters in cages, which were turned over to Fort Bend County Animal Control employees, according to the sheriff’s report.

As of Sunday, no one had been charged in connection with the cockfight, Carlson said.

The practice – which involves pitting specially bred roosters against each other and betting on the outcome – is illegal in Texas and most states. However, cockfighting is usually prosecuted on misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in Texas, and attending a cockfight is not illegal.

“It’s around. It happens, but I don’t think it’s any great problem” in Fort Bend County, Carlson said of cockfighting. Fort Bend Sheriff’s investigators are proceeding with the shooting investigation, while Carlson said animal control officers and officials from the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will investigate the cockfighting.

Sheriff’s investigators are asking anyone with information on the whereabouts or identity of the suspect in Saturday night’s shooting to call Fort Bend County Crime Stoppers anonymously at 281-342-TIPS, or Fort Bend County Emergency Communications at 281-341-4665.