FROM ROAD RAGE TO SHOOTOUT

Police Uncover Weapon, Drug Cache Inside Mission Home

MISSION - Police flooded a quiet neighborhood Wednesday afternoon
when a case of road rage ended with someone shooting at two vehicles.

It started about 2 p.m. just south of Farm-to-Market Road 495, said
police spokesman Sgt. Martin Garza. The driver and passengers of a
black Chevrolet pickup truck apparently got into a driving
confrontation with the drivers and passengers of two other vehicles,
a charcoal GMC Sierra and a Pontiac Grand Am.

The GMC and Pontiac then followed the pickup to a house on the 2300
block of Mayberry Road, north of FM 495.

Moments later, someone from the house's front yard fired at the two
vehicles. Police have not identified which of the three men in the
black truck they believe was the shooter.

Although no one was hurt, news of the shots raced across the
telephone lines and several residents on the street rushed home from work.

Residents say the neighborhood is fairly quiet and were startled when
they heard the crackling sounds of what turned out to be gunfire. One
woman's brick home was in the line of fire, behind the two vehicles .

"At first I didn't suspect that they were gunshots, but after the
police showed up I realized they were," said a 19-year-old
neighborhood resident who asked not to be identified. "We've never
experienced anything like this."

Neighbors quickly dialed 9-1-1 and a patrol officer about a block
away arrived seconds later and ordered the gunmen to the ground,
officials said. The six people in the Sierra and Pontiac were taken
to the police department for questioning.

"We don't believe there is a connection between the victims and the
suspects," Garza said. "It was an incident on the road that led to
the location."

Behind the yellow tape which blocked traffic headed north from FM
495, crime scene investigators found four casings of an unknown
caliber outside of the beige brick home, however, they believed more
weapons could be found inside.

Police Chief Leo Longoria ordered two nearby schools on lockdown
until investigators cleared the crime scene. No one was allowed in or
out of Veterans Memorial High School or Mims Elementary, both about
three-quarter miles from Mayberry Road, until 4 p.m.

For about two hours, police waited patiently for a judge to issue a
search warrant before entering the home. Once inside, investigators
found two high-powered semi-automatic weapons in the closet, boxes of
high-caliber ammunition and a small amount of marijuana. Police also
found a small notebook which they believe contains clues to more crimes.

"It is unusual to find these types of weapons, ammunition and items
in a residential home," Garza said. "It's important that neighbors
participate in providing information to police of any suspicious
activities to avoid acts of violent crime."

The three men face aggravated assault charges, however, more charges
may follow. Arraignment is set for Friday afternoon.