The Eyrie

HOUSTON, TX — A South Texas police officer was found dead in a Houston apartment last Friday after suffering multiple gunshot wounds, according to Houston police and the Taft Police Department.

Officer Daniel Trujillo, 36, had served with the Taft Police Department for three years. Houston police said he was found inside an apartment at 11070 Katy Freeway and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The killing has left his department mourning a colleague remembered for dedication and commitment. Taft police said his loss is deeply felt by the people who worked alongside him and knew him during his time on the force.

Taft police remember a three-year veteran

The Taft Police Department identified Trujillo as one of its officers and said he had spent three years with the agency. In a public statement, the department said he served the community with dedication and commitment.

Officials described the death as a painful loss for the department and for the people who interacted with him through his work. The statement extended condolences to Trujillo’s family, friends, colleagues, and others whose lives he affected.

While the department did not release additional details about his duties or assignments, it made clear that his death has had a strong impact on the agency. The tribute reflected the close ties often formed in small police departments, where officers work closely with one another and with the communities they serve.

Houston police investigate a deadly shooting at 11070 Katy Freeway

Houston police said Trujillo was discovered at an apartment on the Katy Freeway service road area, a busy corridor in the city. He had multiple gunshot wounds when officers responded, and he was declared dead where he was found.

No additional details were provided about what led to the shooting or whether investigators had identified a suspect. Police have not said whether anyone else was in the apartment when Trujillo was found.

The case is being handled as a homicide investigation. That means detectives will likely be working to determine the timeline, the circumstances inside the apartment, and any link between Trujillo and the person or people responsible.

Authorities have not said what led to the shooting

At this stage, police have not released a motive or explained how the shooting happened. The public information available identifies only the victim, the location, and the fact that he died from gunfire.

That leaves several unanswered questions, including when the shooting occurred, who reported it, and whether investigators recovered any physical evidence from the scene. Those details are usually central to building a homicide case, but they have not yet been made public.

For now, the death remains an open investigation. Houston police have asked anyone with information to come forward as detectives continue trying to piece together what happened inside the apartment.

Police urge tips through homicide detectives or Crime Stoppers

Anyone who may know something about the killing is being asked to contact the HPD Homicide Division at 713-308-3600. Police also directed the public to Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS.

Those tip lines are commonly used in homicide investigations when detectives need help identifying witnesses, building a timeline, or confirming whether someone saw suspicious activity near the scene. In this case, investigators have given no public indication that an arrest has been made.

The request for information suggests the case is still developing and that detectives are relying on the public as they work through early leads. For Trujillo’s department, the focus has now shifted from mourning the loss of an officer to seeking answers about his death.

A fatal loss felt in both Taft and Houston

Trujillo’s death affects two communities at once: the small department where he served and the larger city where he was found dead. His colleagues in Taft said his absence is deeply felt, while Houston investigators are now trying to establish what happened in the apartment.

The case also highlights the cross-city nature of some homicide investigations, where a victim may live or work in one place and be found in another. In those situations, local police departments often have to coordinate as they gather records, interview witnesses, and follow up on leads.

For now, officers in both cities are left with a tragedy and few confirmed answers. The only details released publicly are that Trujillo was found with multiple gunshot wounds, was pronounced dead at the scene, and had served with Taft police for three years.