90-year-old Navy veteran shot dead during car theft in Houston, police said

Texas police are investigating a shooting and carjacking that occurred in Houston over the weekend that left a 90-year-old man dead.

Houston police reported the shooting occurred shortly after noon Saturday. Officers responding to a report of an assault in progress found the victim in the parking lot of a nursing facility with multiple gunshot wounds, police said. The man was taken by paramedics to a nearby hospital but was later pronounced dead.

The victim was later identified as 90-year-old Nelson Beckett, who was a Navy veteran, according to Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

According to an initial investigation, Houston police said Beckett was in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown male suspect who attacked and robbed him. The suspect then shot Beckett, stole his car and ran over Beckett as he fled the scene, police said.

The vehicle was later found in an apartment complex.

Rewards for information leading to arrest

On Monday, Abbott’s office offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to the identification and arrest of the shooter.

“Cecilia and I are deeply saddened to hear of the murder of 90-year-old Navy veteran Nelson Beckett in Houston,” the governor said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones, as well as the entire Houston community, during this difficult time. Texas is already working with our local partners and offers full support in bringing this criminal to justice.”

Crime Stoppers of Houston is also offering an additional $5,000 reward.

Nelson Beckett’s son Tim Beckett told local ABC news station KTRK that his father was “always a sociable person until his last day,” adding, “We will miss him.”

The shooting was still under investigation on Wednesday.

Max Hauptman is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at [email protected]

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 90-year-old Navy veteran shot dead in Houston carjacking: police