What we know about the shooting suspect who set off a manhunt in north Fort Worth
Fort Worth police have arrested a suspect they say wounded a civilian officer and set off a manhunt on the north side of the city on Tuesday.
Angel Cantu, 39, faces a charge of aggravated assault against a public servant, according to online jail records.
An employee with the police department’s Civilian Response Unit was dispatched to a burglary call at a house in the 3500 block of Juliet Lane about 11:40 a.m.
Cantu was across the street from the residence and opened fire on the CRU member, police said in a news release.
When police officers arrived to assist the CRU member, who was wounded by shrapnel in his left eye, Cantu opened fire on them as well, and officers returned fire, according to the statement. The suspect then fled on foot through the backyard of his residence.
Cantu was apprehended several hours later at around 5:40 p.m. as he emerged from a wooded area near Riverside Drive and Brittany Place, police said. Officers also located the weapon they believe was used in the shooting.
Cantu has a previous conviction for a 2019 robbery in which he injured the victim by striking him with a weedeater, according to Tarrant County court documents. He was sentenced to three years in prison in the case.
The injured CRU officer is a retired combat Marine, Fort Worth City Council member Charles Lauersdorf said in a Facebook post. He and other city employees visited the officer at John Peter Smith Hospital on Tuesday evening.
“I have no doubt he will not only make a strong recovery, but will have quite the story to tell,” Lauersdorf wrote. “Please keep all of our first responders in your thoughts, and never forget, no day is guaranteed.”
