HOUSTON – A 28-year-old Marine veteran died Thursday night after he was found wounded in northwest Harris County, with investigators later determining he had suffered at least one gunshot wound rather than injuries from a suspected hit-and-run incident.
Quoc Nguyen was discovered unresponsive around 11 p.m. in the 13700 block of Lakewood Forest near Cypresswood, according to Harris County Sheriff’s deputies.
A passing motorist found Nguyen on the side of the road and called 911.
The Good Samaritan immediately began CPR under the guidance of a 911 operator. First responders arrived within five minutes and continued life-saving measures, but Nguyen was pronounced dead at the scene after losing a lot of blood.
Investigators determined that Nguyen, who lived in the area, was in a vehicle that slowly rolled out of a nearby apartment complex before crashing, leaving visible impressions in the grass. Evidence suggests someone then dragged Nguyen’s body to the location where he was found.
“It was pretty shocking... I’ve been over here like three years and I never seen that before,” said Alexis Dottery, a local resident.
After abandoning Nguyen, someone drove away in the vehicle he had been in, according to investigators. A wooden cross now marks the location where he died.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office is seeking information about the case. Anyone with details can contact investigators or Crime Stoppers anonymously at 713-222-TIPS.
Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to an arrest. Officials indicate that suspects could face capital murder charges.
The investigation remains ongoing.