Suspect Charged in Fatal Stabbing, Shooting Incident at 811 Buffalo Park Drive

Charges have been filed against a suspect in the fatal stabbing of one man and the stabbing of another at 811 Buffalo Park Drive that led to an officer-involved shooting incident about 3:15 a.m. on Tuesday (April 5).  

The suspect, Ronnie Dwayne Cesear, Jr., 27, is charged with four felonies: Capital murder, aggravated assault against a peace officer and two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.  The charges are filed in the 182nd State District Court.  A booking photo of Cesear, who remains hospitalized, is not available at this time.  

The deceased victim is identified as Carrl Hayes, 67.  

HPD Officers D. Alagna and M. Medina, assigned to the Central Patrol Division, discharged their duty weapons in the incident.  They were not injured.  Officer Alagna was sworn in as an officer in March 2017 and Officer Medina in December 2019. 

HPD Special Investigations Unit Sergeant J. Young and Detectives A. Henderson, C. King, D. Hammons and M. Childs reported:  

HPD patrol officers responded to a stabbing call at an apartment complex at the above address and learned a male dressed in black had driven through the lobby of the complex and was attacking people with a kitchen knife.  Officers arrived and found a gray pickup truck driven through the lobby entrance and an injured man on the ground.  Officers then observed a dark skinned male with curly hair wearing a black T-shirt and black pants (later identified as the suspect) walking away from the scene.  When the suspect saw the officers, he turned and walked in their direction while carrying a large kitchen knife.  Officers gave repeated verbal commands to the suspect to stop and drop the knife.  The suspect ignored officers’ commands and continued to approach.  

When the suspect got close enough, he lunged at officers with the knife.  Fearing for their lives, the two officers discharged their duty weapons and struck the suspect more than once.  The suspect dropped the knife, but got up and attempted to flee the scene on foot.  Officers followed the suspect, deployed their Conducted Energy Device (taser) and took him into custody.  Once the suspect was detained, officers provided medical assistance to Mr. Hayes and the suspect.  Houston Fire Department paramedics responded to the scene and pronounced Hayes deceased.  The suspect was transported to an area hospital.  

Officers then located a second male victim who had been stabbed in the back multiple times.  He was transported by HFD paramedics to an area hospital where he was treated and released.  

As is customary in HPD officer-involved shooting incidents in the city limits, this case is being investigated by the HPD Special Investigations Unit, Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.  



VHS/JFC  4-8-22
Inc. #044505022