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Police say someone shot at the home of a sitting Brownsville city commissioner early Saturday morning.
In a statement Saturday afternoon, the Brownsville Police Department confirmed an active investigation but did not yet identify the commissioner whose home was in the vicinity of the shooting.
“The investigation remains active, and investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify suspects in the case,” police said via Facebook, adding later, “… When an investigation establishes that a criminal offense has occurred, the (d)epartment will pursue the appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.”
Mayor John Cowen Jr. in his own statement Saturday said he’s been briefed by police on the situation and acknowledged the current political climate in the city, which as of late has been tense due to a recent disannexation of land as part of a property swap for SpaceX in exchange for hundreds of millions of dollars in water infrastructure upgrades.
Although the mayor stopped short of identifying any singular item of recent city business for the shooting, which he said “is being taken seriously,” he did reference “political disagreements.”
“Political intimidation and violence — real or attempted — have no place in Brownsville,” he said on Facebook. “Our elected officials, city staff, and every resident deserve to feel safe in their own homes, regardless of political disagreements.
“I have full confidence in BPD’s ability to run this investigation down to the facts and hold anyone responsible accountable. I’d ask the community to remain patient as this process unfolds and to share any information with BPD’s tip line rather than speculation on social media.
Brownsville is a city that looks out for one another, and we will get through this together.”
City Commissioner At-Large Tino Villarreal Jr. said the shooting occurred “in front of the home of a sitting” commissioner, and “made the decision to cancel” an upcoming town hall meeting he had planned.
That decision, he noted, was made “until the investigation is concluded and the political climate in Brownsville is healthier for public discussion.”