HOUSTON – A man involved in the fatal shooting of his son-in-law has died after he was shot by a Harris County Precinct 4 constable deputy, according to Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman.
The daughter of the gunman, Daisy Jura, identified her father as 78-year-old Rafael Rodriguez, who died at the hospital.
Rodriguez’s son-in-law was identified as Franklin Portillo by family members.
Jura told KPRC 2 that Portillo was at Rodriguez’s home with his two young children, a 9-year-old girl and a 6-year-old boy.
Ever since Jura’s sister of the children’s mother died away two years ago, Jura said there has been a heated child custody battle within the family.
“[Rodriguez] even went to court to try and see the kid,” Jura said. “He felt that in his heart that he needed to take care of that kid, no matter what. And he did it with both. He loved us, and he loved those kids. That’s what took him to do what he did."
Child custody dispute turns deadly
Units responded to a home in the 11016 block of Tanglehead Court regarding a child custody dispute.
When law enforcement arrived, officials said the armed man exited the home and shot Portillo, who was outside the home.
A responding Pct. 4 constable deputy then shot the armed suspect, and both men went down.
Rafael’s daughter said she believes her father wanted to protect the children and that’s why he shot Portillo in the head.
“My dad was the best man,” Jura said. “He did what he did because he loved his children.”
CPR was administered, but Portillo was pronounced dead. Rafael was transported to a hospital in critical condition where he later died.
No deputy was injured in the shooting.
The constable deputy involved in this shooting was placed on administrative leave.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office will lead the investigation into the double shooting.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.