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BROOKSHIRE, Texas (FOX 26) - A man identified as a suspect in a deadly workplace stabbing in Waller County was arrested on Wednesday afternoon in west Harris County.
Evan Lyndell Parker, 34, is suspected of stabbing two of his colleagues at Orizon Industries in the Brookshire area on Wednesday night.
Deputies and Texas Rangers were able to track down and corner Parker at an apartment complex on South Park View Drive. After a brief standoff, Parker was arrested at around 2 p.m. Thursday.
Parker is accused of stabbing Harry Parnell, 64, the night shift supervisor. Parnell was found dead in the factory at Orizon Industries. Parker is also accused of stabbing Jose Rangel, 36, a quality manager who was in the workshop. Rangel is in the hospital with critical injuries.
Harry’s son, Tim Parnell, is a Katy Police Department officer. Harry also used to serve with Katy police. Tim told FOX 26 News about the special way he was able to honor his father when the alleged killer was arrested.
"He’ll be wearing a pair of my handcuffs,” said Tim. "My captain came over and got a pair of my handcuffs this morning. When they take him into custody, they’re gonna put a pair of my handcuffs on him. I think my dad would like that. My dad was very proud of me, especially when I got into law enforcement."
Company leaders at Orizon Industries said Parker had only been working there for six-to-eight months through a contract company.
Investigators are still trying to determine a motive for the stabbing.
According to the sheriff’s office, Parker already has an extensive criminal history, including aggravated robbery, assault, resisting arrest, and aggravated assault against a public servant.
Milo Thibeadeau, the chief operating officer for Orizon’s parent company Spitzer industries, said Harry had been with the company for more than twenty years. Thibeadeau described the attack as "senseless" and said there has been no history of problems between Harry and Parker.
Thibeadeau said Parker had reportedly passed all background and drug tests before he was employed.
Warrants for murder and aggravated assault were issued for Parker. Several law enforcement agencies assisted in the arrest.
Orizon sent other employees home for the day but had grief counselors on site Thursday afternoon and will make them available all day on Friday.
Thibeadeau called the company a “family” that’s lost a long-time worker who was always positive and advocated on behalf of his workers.
At the Brookshire location, structural metal is manufactured for the oil and gas industry and around 400 people are employed.