DA: Grand jury to consider Texas chopper shooting

DA: Grand jury to consider Texas chopper shooting

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A South Texas prosecutor says a grand jury will consider the case of two Guatemalan immigrants killed when a state trooper in a helicopter opened fire to stop a tarp-covered truck that authorities thought was ferrying drugs.

Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra says the only certain charge is a felony evading arrest against the pickup’s driver, a boy of about 14 years.

On Oct. 25, a Texas Department of Public Safety helicopter joined state game wardens near La Joya in a desert pursuit of what they thought was a drug-laden truck. Instead, the tarp concealed six passengers including the two Guatemalans who died.

Guerra says charges for the DPS trooper who fired on the truck are not currently being considered, but a grand jury could explore that option.