A police encounter in Corpus Christi escalated into a deadly exchange of gunfire after officers unknowingly detained an armed homicide suspect without handcuffs, according to newly released details from city officials. The incident, which unfolded on Jan. 23, left one officer critically injured and raised renewed questions about officer safety and field-search limitations during fast-moving investigations.
Timeline of the Jan. 23 Shooting
Initial Call on Ayers Street
Corpus Christi Police officers responded to Ayers Street at 2:47 p.m. after reports of a shooting. They found a man with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite emergency care, the victim died at a local hospital.
Nearly an hour later, investigators located a suspect vehicle on Agnes Street, where they encountered 38-year-old Ricardo Rojas. At that point, officers suspected him of involvement in the earlier homicide.
Detention Without Handcuffs
According to a department video briefing released Jan. 29, officers conducted a pat-down search of Rojas but did not locate a weapon. Believing he was unarmed, officers placed him in the backseat of a patrol vehicle without handcuffs. Unbeknownst to officers at the time, Rojas had concealed a firearm on his person.
Police Chief Mike Markle said the incident did not stem from inadequate training. Instead, he said, the unique circumstances allowed the suspect to hide a weapon during the initial search—an outcome that proved tragic.
Gunfire Erupts During Follow-Up
Exchange of Shots
When officers returned to the patrol vehicle to ask Rojas for identification, he allegedly drew the concealed firearm and opened fire. The suspect targeted four officers during the sudden ambush. The suspect shot two officers, including Officer Alexandria Cano-Castro, who suffered what the department described as a catastrophic injury. A third officer suffered minor shrapnel injuries and received treatment at the scene, while the gunfire did not strike the fourth officer.
Officers immediately returned fire, striking Rojas. He was transported to a local hospital, treated for his injuries, and later discharged.
Charges Filed
On Jan. 27, Rojas was booked into the City Detention Center. Authorities charged him with four counts of attempted capital murder, one count of murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. The charges reflect the gravity of the confrontation and the risks officers faced during the encounter.
Officer Recovery and Department Response
Chief Markle said Officer Cano-Castro is “doing well” despite the severity of her injuries. He acknowledged the emotional toll such incidents take on officers and the department as a whole. While rare, Markle noted that similar situations do occur in policing, underscoring the unpredictable nature of field operations.
“It’s sad,” Markle said, adding that departments must learn from these events while continuing to move forward.
Ongoing Investigation and Motive
Investigators believe Rojas and the homicide victim knew each other, possibly sharing a long-standing dispute. Markle described the relationship as involving “bad blood going back years,” though he cautioned that details are still emerging.
The case remains an active investigation. Authorities have not released additional details about the motive or said whether other individuals were involved.
Broader Implications for Police Safety
This incident highlights the challenges officers face during rapidly evolving investigations, particularly when suspects may conceal weapons despite standard pat-down procedures. While police training emphasizes officer safety, real-world conditions can introduce unpredictable variables that complicate even routine detentions.
As the investigation continues, city officials say they will thoroughly review the incident. For now, the focus remains on officer recovery, accountability through the legal process, and transparency with the public.