Gunman accused of killing 2 Irving Chick-fil-A workers arrested
IRVING, Texas - Irving police have arrested a man they say killed two Chick-fil-A workers in a shooting Wednesday afternoon.
Oved Bernardo Mendoza Argueta, 37, was booked into the Irving jail around 3 a.m. Thursday.
Police said he shot and killed two people inside the Chick-fil-A restaurant near MacArthur Boulevard and Walnut Hill Lane in the Los Colinas neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.
Irving police declined any additional interviews at this time in order to let the detectives work the case.
We know now that the suspect's wife worked at the restaurant, as did the two people who were killed.
According to an arrest affidavit, one of the workers killed was 49-year-old Patricia Portillo. A source tells FOX 4 that the other victim, not identified in the affidavit, is a male.
In a statement to FOX 4 News, Chick-fil-A said in part, "We will miss our two team members dearly. Right now, our focus is on providing care for our team and the victims' families."
Investigators have not released a possible motive for the double fatal shooting but said on Wednesday before Mendoza Argueta was located that there was no threat to the public.
"Our investigators have received information to lead them to believe this is a targeted incident and not a random act of violence," said Irving Police Officer Anthony Alexander.
That information appears to have come from the suspect's wife.
The arrest report states Mendoza Argueta's wife is an employee at the Chick-fil-A. She reportedly witnessed the shooting and identified her husband as the gunman. She was not hurt.
The report does not say if he knew the two victims or if they were his intended targets.
Police also did not say how and where they were able to locate Mendoza Argueta, who fled the scene in a Honda and caught early Thursday morning.
Search underway for gunman after 2 killed inside Irving Chick-fil-A restaurant
Police have identified the suspected shooter as Bernardo Mendoza Argueta. They released his passport photo and a photo of his car.
Back at the Chick-fil-A Thursday, the store remains closed as biohazard crews clean up the scene inside.
"Whatever happened yesterday was very, very sad," said Mohammed Raga, who lives in the area. "Because each and every life is very important. Each and every life is important from God."
Argueta is facing capital murder charges. He's also got an immigration hold.
Chick-fil-A has not said when the location will reopen.