It's very unclear in news reports as to the status of the person "in custody"-- very clearly there is no ongoing manhunt, but equally clear no one wants to release that man's name, or officially charge him (yet?).
This is bureaucratic obfuscation at its finest, IMO-- either the suspect is on the loose and yet to be apprehended, or not. The public deserves to know what's going on, now 20 hours after the murder-- it's a public safety issue.
If the police have stopped looking for another person or persons, they need to say so very plainly, and that needs to come from the Chief of Police. Others in LE have told media that they have the correct suspect-- articles from hours earlier confirm that.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/deputy-killed-in-gas-station-ambush-near-houston/ar-AAdKjRZ
Authorities are currently at a house in Cypress, where a Red Ford Ranger was towed from the driveway Saturday afternoon.
A young man who identified himself as the person of interest's brother said he and his family were still waiting for answers. The man, who lives at the house at Pine Falls and Lake Crystal Drive with his brother and mother, said police just burst in. At this point, all he knew is it had something to do with their red truck.
The man said his brother got off work, then went briefly to the store with his mother. He could not provide details because his mother ordered him to stop talking to a reporter.
His brother has not been arrested or identified as a suspect. There was no apparent motive for the killing as law enforcement continued to scour the area for the killer early Saturday.
Neighbors described the person of interest as calm and friendly. Many were concerned about his welfare, saying they believed he had some sort of learning disability.
Bob Goerlitz, president of the Harris County Deputies Organization, said, recounted how protesters at a recent event in Waller County were yelling "shoot the pig."
"It's scary as hell. They're shooting just because you're wearing a uniform," he said.
Goforth was stationed in District V in northwest Harris County. He had a wife and two children, a 12-year-old daughter and a 5-year-old son.
"Give yourself up. That's what I have to say," Gilliland said. "I can tell you with diligence and justice the suspect will be caught. And he will be brought to justice."
More info at the lengthy article. Very, very sad his kids are so young-- yet old enough to be pretty aware of what's going on. I can't imagine how traumatic this is for them, and will be for the rest of their lives. And facing a new school year as well-- unbelievably traumatic for those children.
ETA: Numerous articles in the last few hours describe a "person of interest" who is still "in custody"-- but they also go out of their way to avoid using the words "arrest" and "suspect". Someone is sitting in the police station at present as a "POI", and equally obviously, the manhunt has ended. That's my take on the confusing/ obfuscated media presentation of the facts.
ETA: AH-- now the MSN news banners are saying that there will be an announcement of an arrest imminently. Banner went up at 3:45 or so.
BREAKING NEWS: Houston police to announce arrest in slaying of deputy. Click for more.
