State to seek death penalty in murder of HCSO Deputy Darren Almendarez

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) — A procession from the medical examiner’s office to the funeral home was held Monday morning for Harris County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Darren Almendarez, who was shot and killed last week in a grocery store parking lot.

The procession started at 8 a.m. from the medical examiner’s office on Old Spanish Trail and ended at Brookside Funeral Home at 13747 Eastex Freeway.

Three men have been charged with capital murder in the off-duty deputy’s death: 17-year-old Fredrick Tardy, 23-year-old Joshua Stewart and 19-year-old Fredarias Henry Clark.

Clark waived his right to appear before a judge early Monday, but his case was still read in court, where a judge found probable cause and gave him no bond.

All three suspects are accused of trying to steal the deputy’s catalytic converter from his truck in the parking lot of the Joe V’s Smart Shop in the 2900 block of FM 1960 at Aldine Westfield at about 8:35 p.m. on Thursday.

As Almendarez and his wife walked back to their vehicle, they caught the men in the act, and investigators say that’s when one of the three men started shooting.

It was revealed in court Monday that Clark was the driver of the suspects’ car and he allegedly shot first at Almendarez. Clark is said to have warned the other two suspects to get back in their car as Almendarez approached his truck. The men had cordless cutting tools.

Also according to information from the court, the suspects claimed the deputy was the one who shot at them first, but security camera footage showed that Clark fired before Almendarez did.

“The driver later identified as this defendant opened the front driver door, displayed a handgun outside the vehicle over the door frame, shooting towards the complainant. The complainant then pointed his handgun toward the vehicle while approaching. When he reached the driver’s side door, grabbed this defendant’s handgun as he discharged it in the direction of the complainant,” the court clerk read.

As the suspects drove away, Almendarez continued shooting at them as more shots may have been fired from the suspects’ car, ABC13 learned in court.

Later Monday morning, Stewart also appeared in court, where no cameras were allowed. ABC13 reporter Charly Edsitty was there to cover the appearance, noting that there was a heavy sheriff’s office presence.

The state is seeking the death penalty and asked for no bond for Stewart.

The three men are a part of a bigger crew that steal catalytic converters.

In 2019, Stewart had a charge in Harris County for unlawful carrying of a weapon that was later dismissed, records show.

In November 2020, Clark was convicted of criminal trespassing and later unlawful carrying a weapon that was later dismissed.

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