Two cheerleaders shot after getting into the wrong car at H-E-B; suspect in custody

A man has been arrested after two cheerleaders were shot Monday night at an H-E-B parking lot in Elgin after accidentally trying to get into the wrong car. One was treated at the scene and another was taken to the hospital with serious injuries.

Officers identified Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr. as the subject, took him into custody and charged Rodriguez with a third-degree felony of deadly conduct.

Police said they received a call Tuesday at 12:15 a.m. that multiple shots were fired around 1080 East U.S. Highway 290.

Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr. has been charged with deadly conduct in connection to a shooting incident in Elgin that wounded a Round Rock cheerleader.
Pedro Tello Rodriguez Jr. has been charged with deadly conduct in connection to a shooting incident in Elgin that wounded a Round Rock cheerleader.

While officers were responding to the scene, they received another call regarding a shooting within the 800 block of State Highway 95 North, which is about two miles away from the first call. The police determined that the two incidents were related.

The investigation is ongoing and additional or enhanced charges may be filed, according to a press release.

Heather Roth, a cheerleader with Woodlands Elite Cheer Co., told ABC News she and three other cheerleaders had completed practice when they went to a carpool lot at the H-E-B.

Roth told the outlet she got out of her friend's car and opened the door to a car she thought was her own, but the shooting suspect was in the passenger seat.

Roth said she went back to her friend's vehicle and the shooter approached, according to ABC News. Roth said she rolled down the window to apologize and the shooter opened fire on the teens.

On Tuesday evening, Woodlands Elite confirmed the incident on its Facebook page and asked for prayers for the victims, their families and their friends.

"4 of our girls were involved in a horrific incident on their way home after practice last night," Woodlands Elite wrote. "Please keep these girls and our WE cheer family in your thoughts and prayers. WE appreciate our cheer community."

According to a GoFundMe page organized by Woodlands Elite Generals cheerleading team, the cheerleader in critical condition is being identified as Payton Washington. The GoFundMe states she's in stable condition in the ICU.

Additional information contributed by Natalie Neysa Alund, USA TODAY.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas cheerleaders shot after trying to enter the wrong car at H-E-B