PORT ARTHUR, Texas — Police in Port Arthur have now switched from searching for a wanted man to searching for his killer.
The body of Javier Palacios, 22, was found Monday about 4 p.m. not far from where police say he was involved in a March shooting ion the 1200 block of Delaware.
Investigators are treating his death as a homicide but have not released his cause of death.
Port Arthur Police had been looking for Palacios for about two weeks in connection with the shooting on March 20 as well as a carjacking in another city.
They say they were not only looking for him to bring in as a suspect but also for his own safety.
"We did a press thing two weeks ago and normally we don't do press for that but we were trying to take him into custody not only for the sake of our citizens but for his own safety," said Port Arthur Police Detective Mike Hebert.
Palcios was affiliated with the "Surenos 13" gang and was also wanted on three outstanding warrants police said.
Family members could be seen at the crime scene Monday after Palacios' body was found.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.