Law officers seek man suspected in shooting of Del Mar instructor
By Quincy C. Collins Caller-Times
August 12, 2003
As Texas Rangers join the investigation of the shooting of a Del Mar College criminal justice instructor Saturday, the college community is struggling to understand how the former U.S. Border Patrol agent became a victim of a violent crime in his remote Kleberg County home.
Albert Benitez, the Del Mar College criminal justice instructor who was shot several times in the stomach at his home Saturday morning, was in critical, but stable condition Monday at Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial, Kleberg County investigators reported Monday.
Kleberg County Capt. Rick Torres said sheriff's department investigators are working with the Texas Rangers to find the suspect. Investigators have not found the gun used to shoot Benitez.
Benitez was shot several times after a man broke into his home on County Road 2130 outside of Ricardo in Kleberg County around 7 a.m. Saturday, the Kleberg County Sheriff's Office reported. The intruder then kidnapped Benitez's girlfriend and took a green Ford Crown Victoria that was parked at the home, investigators said in a statement issued Saturday. Investigators are not releasing the woman's name.
No arrests have been made in connection with the shooting and kidnapping, Torres said.
Benitez, a faculty member since January 2001, is a former U.S. Border Patrol agent. He graduated from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi with a master's degree in public administration in 2000.
Del Mar College students, faculty and officials were shocked to learn that Benitez was a victim of a violent crime.
"It's a tragedy when it happens to anyone, especially when it happens to faculty," said Gabe Rivas, Del Mar College regent. "It's ironic that it happened to someone in law enforcement."
John Graham, a Del Mar College criminal justice instructor who worked with Benitez while Benitez was a graduate student and later as a colleague, said the Del Mar College community is stunned and eager for his recovery.
"I don't get it. I don't understand it," Graham said, who added that he has not been able to sleep the past two days.
"I want the perpetrator or perpetrators captured, and I want him back in the classroom 100 percent well," he said.
Donna Strong, an instructor who teaches classes with both the English and criminal justice departments, said Benitez goes the extra mile for students and applies his experience as a former Border Patrol agent to his lessons.
"The students just adore him," Strong said.
Suzi Camacho, a Del Mar College criminal justice student, said she and other students were saddened to learn of Benitez's condition.
"We're very shocked and sad, but he's a fighter." Camacho said. "I know he is going to survive this."
Camacho also said Benitez was dedicated to his students.
"Mr. Benitez is one of those instructors who are there for students," Camacho said. "I have never seen him turn a student away."
The woman who was kidnapped told police the shooting suspect jumped from her car at the intersection of U.S. Highway 77 and Caesar Avenue in Kingsville. Saturday morning, local law enforcement agencies began a manhunt for the suspect, who they described as a Hispanic man dressed all in black.
Students, criminal justice instructors and friends described Benitez as a man dedicated to his family's tradition in law enforcement. Benitez's father, Tony Benitez, is a retired Kingsville police officer.
"He was born and bred in law enforcement," said Kingsville Mayor Phil Esquivel, who grew up with Benitez and his family.
