The Fort Worth shooting left a Texas officer injured while he responded to a burglary call and protected a civilian during active gunfire. Officer Edward Zapata, a member of a civilian response unit, arrived at the scene after reports of a car burglary and quickly encountered a suspect who opened fire.
Zapata immediately moved to protect a resident as gunfire erupted. He instructed the woman to stay low and guided her away from the danger zone. Despite the chaos, he kept directing her while shots continued nearby.
As the situation escalated, Zapata helped the woman climb over a fence to reach safety. Moments later, he reported over his radio that gunfire struck him in the face. Even after the injury, he requested urgent backup and support at his location.
Emergency responders arrived soon after and secured the scene. Officers reached Zapata and provided immediate aid before they transported him to a hospital for treatment. Authorities also rescued his civilian partner, who had taken cover inside a vehicle during the shooting.
Investigators identified the suspect as Angel Cantu, who fled after the shooting. Law enforcement launched a multi-hour search operation across Fort Worth and later arrested him. Officials charged him with multiple counts of aggravated assault against a public servant.
Police confirmed that Zapata joined the civilian response unit only weeks earlier. Despite his limited time in the role, he acted quickly to shield a civilian while under direct gunfire and showed strong decision-making under pressure.
Authorities explained that civilian response officers do not carry weapons and focus on investigation, evidence collection, and reporting. This role placed Zapata in a vulnerable position during the Fort Worth shooting incident.
Zapata received hospital treatment for his injuries and recovered in stable condition. Officials and community members expressed support for his actions and recovery after the incident.
The Fort Worth shooting remains under investigation as authorities review evidence and reconstruct the events. The case continues as prosecutors move forward with charges against the suspect.
