Suspect found guilty of capital murder in 2022 shooting of off-duty Harris County deputy

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A jury reached a verdict in Harris County Deputy Darren Almendarez's murder trial on Friday, according to the Harris County District Attorney.

Joshua Stewart, one of three people accused of shooting and killing Deputy Almendarez in 2022, was found guilty of capital murder, and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the DA said in an X, formerly known as Twitter, post.

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The DA added that Fredarious Clark and Drederick Tardy, who were also charged with capital murder, will have their trials later this year.

ABC13 previously reported that Almendarez was shot off-duty in a grocery store parking lot while confronting two men who were, apparently, trying to steal the catalytic converter under his truck.