Authorities: Man found dead on east Harris County road may have been killed during robbery

HOUSTON -- A neighborhood ice cream man was gunned down in east Harris County, and investigators say he may have been a victim of robbery.

The man, who was found lying dead in the middle of Hollywood Street near Longview, was a daily afternoon staple in the Cloverleaf area.

"I know the guy. I see him around all the time. I go to the park almost everyday. I see him there," said Edgar Esquival who lives nearby.

"They're just trying to make a living like everybody else," Edward Brooks said.

Brooks and his wife heard three gunshots around 5:30pm Friday.

Homicide investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Office say witnesses saw a tan SUV with two Hispanic males inside speed off. The victim, in Spanish known as a "paletero" or street seller of ice cream and snow cones, was dead. His bicycle with products on board was stopped on the side of the road about 5 feet away.

"We don't what the motive is yet. We're exploring. It may have possibly been robbery," said Sgt Robert Spurgeon.

"It's sad people like that are getting robbed for loose change," added Brooks, who said his wife is now worried for their safety.

Authorities have not confirmed the victim's identity.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.