A Texas man shot and seriously wounded a 19-year-old utility worker as he was installing fiber optic cables in his neighborhood.
The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call in Magnolia just after 1 p.m. on Tuesday. Upon arrival, they discovered a utility worker, identified as Briley Delacruz Rodas, who had been shot multiple times during a disturbance between the resident and the worker.
Rodas was shot when the disturbance escalated, according to the sheriff’s office. While the specific details of the dispute were not disclosed by the sheriff’s office, neighbors informed KPRC that AT&T crews had been present in the neighborhood for weeks installing underground cables.
The shooter was identified as Keith Matthews, 53, who was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
During Matthews’ probable cause hearing, prosecutors alleged that he engaged in an argument with Rodas and another installer. He reportedly became agitated, yelling at the workers, throwing cables, and using pepper spray before ultimately shooting Rodas in the back three times. Court documents revealed that Matthews accused the workers of trespassing on private property.
Rodas remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Matthews was given a $200,000 bond.
