Accused Gunman In July 4th Road Rage Incident Surrenders

HOUSTON, TX — An 18-year-old man accused in a July 4th road rage incident that severely burned a family of four surrendered to police. Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Bayron Rivera turned himself in Sunday evening and is charged with four counts of aggravated assault.

Investigators said Rivera allegedly fired a gun inside the victim’s pickup that ingnited fireworks and severely burned a man, his wife, and the couple’s two young children.

The incident began just before 8 p.m. in the parking lot of a Fiesta Mart, located in the 1800 block of W. Mount Houston Road when Rivera and the victim began arguing.

The dispute carried over to a nearby gas station, where Rivera allegedly pulled a gun and fired inside the victim’s pickup as he drove away.

The parents were taken to University of Texas Medical Branch by ambulance, the children, ages 1- and 2-years-old were taken by Life Flight to the same hospital.

“It’s also our understanding — throughout the investigation — that there was some time in between. This incident didn’t just happen bam, bam...it stretched for about 20 minutes or so,” Gonzalez said, indicating that there was time for Rivera and the victim to disengage.

Gonzalez said the county has recently seen an increase in the number of road rage incidents, often resulting in serious injury and criminal charges.

Gonzalez added that the family members in this case are all still in the hospital and face a long recovery from their injuries.

Investigators also recovered an AR-15 semi automatic rifle that Gonzalez said was used in the aggravated assault.

“The family of the suspect was very, very cooperative, and very supportive,” said Lt. Jeffrey Stauber, an investigator with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Crimes Unit. “The fact that those children were injured, it was very important for [Rivera] to come and talk to us, which he did voluntarily.”

The case is still under investigation by the Harris County Sheriff's Office and the Harris County Fire Marshals Office.

READ ALSO: Family Of 4 Critically Burned During Road Rage Incident: Police

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