A Texas man shot and seriously wounded a 19-year-old utility worker as he was installing fiber optic cables in his neighborhood.
According to the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, they responded to a call in Magnolia shortly after 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they discovered that a utility worker, named Briley Delacruz Rodas, had been shot multiple times. This incident was characterized as “a disturbance between the resident and a utility worker.”
The sheriff’s office reported that Rodas was shot following the escalation of this disturbance. Although the details of the conflict were not disclosed, neighbors informed KPRC that AT&T teams had been laying underground cables in the area for a few weeks.
The shooter was identified as Keith Matthews, 53, who was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
During a probable cause hearing, prosecutors explained that Matthews argued with Rodas and another worker. He shouted at them, hurled cables, and used pepper spray before drawing his handgun and shooting Rodas in the back three times. Court documents reveal that he accused the workers of being on private property without permission.
Rodas remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Matthews was given a $200,000 bond.
