A 90-year-old military veteran was shot and then run over and killed by his own vehicle during a violent carjacking outside a Houston nursing home over the weekend, police said.
According to reports, Houston police said Nelson Beckett, a grandfather of five, was in the parking lot of Lone Star Living assisted living facility around noon Saturday when an unknown suspect approached the elderly man and began attacking him.
Police said the gunman shot Beckett and then jumped into his vehicle, mowing him down as he fled the scene, and he was pronounced dead at a local hospital. ABC13 reported.
Neighbors of the nursing home reportedly heard a single gunshot during the fight.
“He had a little shopping cart and a fight broke out,” neighbor Rod Bosson said. He told KHOU 11.
“He put up a good fight, that's when he was shot. When the suspect retreated, [the victim].”
Beckett was identified as the victim by her family on Sunday, local media reported.
His son, Tim Beckett, told ABC13 his slain father leaves behind two children, five grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
“He was a very loving person and loved his family,” his daughter, Tami Freund, said. He told Fox 26“To him, everyone was valuable and he would do anything for anyone.”
His family said his great-grandfather served in the Navy, attended Abilene Christian University, worked in sales and was active in his church.
“Nelson loved being with people more than most people I know,” said Steve Sargent, senior pastor of Southwest Central Christian Church. He spoke during Sunday's service. “He loved to tell stories, jokes and show pictures.”
Police said the carjacker is on the run and is considered “armed and dangerous.” KPRC reported.
Authorities said Beckett's car was found abandoned on the grounds of another apartment complex less than three miles away.
“This is… this is just so pathetic,” Houston Police Lt. Jonathan French told the station. “That's all I can say.”
