Houston authorities have charged a man with murder after an apparent road rage incident that resulted in the death of a pastor.
On June 24, Pastor Ronald Mouton Sr., of East Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, was shot and killed after witnesses said they saw him arguing with another motorist.
According to online records from the Harris County District Clerk’s Office, 23-year-old Uber driver Deshawn Longmire has been taken into custody and charged with murder. He is currently held at the county jail on a $500,000 bond.
Following an arrest report acquired, witnesses reported seeing Longmire and Mouton arguing at a stoplight. Neither of the drivers got out of their cars.
It appears that Longmire was driving a Black Honda Sedan car with a peeled window tint when he was involved in the accident with Mouton, who was driving a white BMW. Uber says Longmire did not have a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the incident.
Witnesses told police that Longmire allegedly shot Mouton out of his driver’s window while holding a pistol. Mouton reportedly crashed his car and died at the scene. Longmire then fled the scene.
According to the arrest report, which KHOU-TV also obtained, Uber records indicate that Longmire was present when Mouton was shot.
Online records do not list a lawyer authorized to speak on behalf of Longmire, who has not yet filed a plea.
After Longmire’s arrest, a statement from Mouton’s family was released.
“We are still grief-stricken over this senseless tragedy,” the family writes. “.We want the man who took his life to understand the seriousness of his crime. He took the life of a husband, a father. Our confidence and hope are in the proficient work of the police. We also hope the work of the entire criminal justice system is done thoroughly and that justice is duly served.”
