On Tuesday, June 27, a would-be robber was wounded while attempting to rob a pregnant woman and her husband at a Houston gas station. Surveillance video from the scene shows the suspect, Mario Ipina Duque, displaying a weapon and threatening to kill the male. At this point, the female and the male both produced guns and, in self-defense, shot Duque.
Mario Ipina Duque was taken by Houston Fire Department paramedics to the hospital and is now in Houston Police Department custody. He is facing charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and unlawful carrying of a weapon.
Houston Police Department Public Information Officer, Officer Kese Smith, said that officers responded to reports of a shooting at 8605 Fulton Street and upon arriving, found the pregnant woman and her husband holding the suspect at gunpoint. Weapons were recovered from the scene.
According to Officer Smith, "The female and the male both produced guns and, in self-defense, shot Duque. They then held him at gunpoint and called 9-1-1."
The male and female were not injured and the suspect suffered non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. It is unclear whether Duque's attempted robbery was premeditated or if the incident occurred spontaneously.
The case has been referred to the Harris County District Attorney's Office. If convicted, Duque could be sentenced to 25 years in state prison.
Ahmedaltayeb Elnouman Modawi, 18, was also recently charged in an unrelated case in Houston involving a crash that killed 3 people. In this case, Modawi was driving a vehicle that crossed into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with another car, killing 3 people. He pleaded guilty to three counts of intoxication manslaughter with a vehicle and was sentenced to 30 years in prison.
These two recent cases illustrate the dangers of the Harris County area. All residents are reminded to be alert and take safety measures such as avoiding traveling alone in suspicious neighborhoods and carrying a cell phone with GPS locator technology if possible.
In the unfortunate event of such an incident, it is important to remember the courage of the pregnant female and her husband at the gas station who, in self-defense, fended off an attempted robber. Their actions demonstrate how protective citizens can be in the face of danger.
