Texas Dad Shoots Alleged Carjacker After Family Trapped Inside Vehicle During Attack [WATCH]

A Texas father fatally shot an alleged carjacker Sunday afternoon after the suspect reportedly tried to steal the family’s vehicle while children and other family members were still inside, according to police in Garland, as reported by the New York Post.

The incident began around 3:30 p.m. along Highway 66, roughly 18 miles outside downtown Dallas, according to the Garland Police Department.

Police said the suspect, whose identity has not yet been released, crashed into two vehicles before fleeing the scene and running toward a nearby gas station and shopping center area. Investigators said the man then attempted to “take several vehicles by force” after abandoning the crash scene.

Garland, Texas: An alleged carjacker was shot dead by a father protecting his family of eight — who were all sitting inside a Chevy Impala (a 5-seater sedan). https://t.co/d9YWNNwWs7

— Breitbart News (@BreitbartNews) May 5, 2026

Surveillance video obtained by Fox 4 reportedly showed the suspect approaching a white Chevrolet Impala parked in a shopping center lot across the street from the crash.

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Authorities said the father was sitting inside the vehicle with several young children and two adult women when the suspect approached the driver’s side door. The suspect allegedly attempted to pull the driver from the car, triggering a struggle beside the vehicle.

During the confrontation, the family, including at least one young boy, rushed from the car as the situation escalated. Police said the father then “produced a firearm” and fired more than 10 rounds at the suspect.

The alleged carjacker was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries, according to Fox 4. Police said investigators are still working to identify the suspect, who has only been described publicly as a Hispanic male.

No injuries were reported among the family members or anyone else inside the targeted vehicle.

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After the shooting, the father remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators, according to police. Authorities said he also surrendered his firearm to officers as part of the investigation.

Garland police Lt. Pedro Barineau told NBCDFW that investigators currently view the shooting as a self-defense case.

“That driver was defending himself and was fighting with that suspect. The car was occupied by several children as well as two other female adults,” Barineau said.

“We are looking at this as a self-defense case. We’re also looking into why this suspect did what he did.”

The incident quickly drew reactions from community members, many of whom expressed support for the father’s actions after learning children were inside the vehicle during the attempted carjacking.

Resident Taylor Standfield told the outlet he understood why the father reacted immediately to protect his family.

“I have three kids. I’m gonna do whatever it takes to keep them safe. That kind of stuff is split-second,” Standfield said.

“It’s hard to imagine what it’s even like being in that situation with the adrenaline and knowing that you have kids in your vehicle.”

Tatiana Starks, manager of Garland Smoke and Vape, told Fox 4 she witnessed the shooting from a nearby shopping center and believed the suspect appeared disoriented before the confrontation.

“You could definitely tell that he was not in his right state of mind,” Starks told Fox 4. “I’m just glad that the man was able to protect himself and his family.”

“It’s just a blessing that the kids and the family walked away with no injuries,” she added.

SECOND AMENDMENT FLEX

Texas father fatally shoots would-be carjacker who tried stealing his car — with his wife and young kids still inside.The suspect had just fled a multi-vehicle crash on Highway 66 outside Dallas, then tried forcing his way into several vehicles at a… pic.twitter.com/M3TRfXSXhw— Breanna Morello (@BreannaMorello) May 6, 2026

Police have not announced any charges against the father, and the investigation remains ongoing.

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