Man Charged in Two Shootings in Flower Mound, Lewisville

Police in Flower Mound and Lewisville are trying to determine if two shootings linked to one man were hate crimes.

Anthony Huynh, 40, is charged with a slaying on New Year's Day in Flower Mound and a shooting in Lewisville on Saturday. The victims did not know Huynh, Flower Mound police say.

Huynh was arrested after a man was shot multiple times inside his car for no apparent reason on Saturday at the Suburban Extended Stay at 1920 Lakepointe Drive in Lewisville.

Police said Huynh, who was staying at the hotel, confessed to the shooting, and a fatal shooting in Flower Mound.

Flower Mound police said Huynh flashed a strobe light from his car, pulled over Lamont White and shot him multiple times on Jan. 1.

While the motive is still under investigation, Flower Mound police noted in an affidavit that "Huynh stated that he had more difficulty with black people being confrontational with him and following him around."

"That's something we will investigate fully," Capt. Kurt Labhart said. "At this time, we don't know if that had any bearing."

Investigators said Huynh followed White, 54, out of a Target parking lot. White had worked at Target part-time for 15 years.

"I never thought I'd have to deal with this ever," said Stephanie Ruiz, White's stepdaughter. "It's been hard, and I miss him a lot ... but I know he's in a good place."

"My stepdad, I don't think, would have never pulled over unless he thought it was a cop, and once he realized 'you're not a police officer,' it was too late," she said.

The victim in Saturday's shooting outside the hotel is expected to recover.

Police confiscated a handgun and ammunition when they arrested Huynh.

Huynh's criminal record includes aggravated assault and weapons charges. He is being held on a $1.5 million bond in the Denton County Jail.

The district attorney ultimately will decide whether or not to classify the charges as hate crimes.