A Texas father shot and killed a man who violently attempted to carjack his vehicle with his wife and six children inside after surveillance cameras captured the Sunday afternoon attack in a Garland convenience store parking lot.

Violent Carjacking Attempt Captured on Video

The Garland Police Department responded to reports of a multi-vehicle crash around 3:30 p.m. Sunday involving Jose Ramirez, 30, who fled the scene and began attempting to forcibly steal vehicles from multiple motorists at a nearby gas station. Surveillance footage obtained by FOX 4 Dallas shows Ramirez yanking the father from the driver’s seat before trying to force his way into the vehicle. A small child was seen fleeing from the back seat as the family scrambled to safety while Ramirez closed the doors and positioned himself in the driver’s seat.

The father opened fire from the passenger side of the vehicle as Ramirez sat in the driver’s seat, according to police reports. Emergency responders transported Ramirez to a local hospital where medical personnel pronounced him dead. No family members suffered injuries during the incident. The father remained at the scene and cooperated fully with investigators, who declined to file charges against him.

Self-Defense Under Texas Law

Garland Police Lieutenant Pedro Barineau told reporters the shooting appeared justified as self-defense, noting the incident unfolded rapidly and the father had no way of knowing whether Ramirez possessed a weapon. While authorities confirmed Ramirez was unarmed, he was using physical force to commandeer the vehicle. Tatiana Starks, manager of a nearby vape shop, witnessed Ramirez breaking into cars at the gas station and recorded his erratic behavior before he approached the family’s vehicle.

Immigration Status Under Investigation

Fox News contacted the Department of Homeland Security and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to verify Ramirez’s immigration history following the incident. Starks described making direct eye contact with Ramirez during his rampage and said his behavior clearly indicated he was not in a normal state of mind. She expressed relief that the father successfully protected his family and that all six children and both parents escaped without physical harm from the violent encounter in broad daylight.