Posted on 01/05/2024 1:46:14 AM PST by Morgana
A Texas vigilante who shot and killed a robber in a Houston restaurant last year will not be charged, a grand jury has decided.
The shooter, who was said to be 'protecting everyone' in the restaurant, struck Eric Eugene Washington, 30, nine times with one bullet hitting him execution-style in the head.
Washington had entered the El Ranchito taqueria on January 5, 2023 while flashing what appeared to be a gun, later discovered to be plastic, and robbing the residents inside.
The customer, 46, then shot Washington as he attempted to flee the scene, security footage from the event shows.
A Texas grand jury has now 'no billed' the shooter,' meaning no criminal charges will be filed against him in relation to the incident, Harris County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.
The shooter, who wished to remain anonymous was within his right under Texas' self-defense laws, his attorney said at the time.
'In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property,' attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. said.
'In fear for his life and his friend's life, my client acted to protect everyone in the restaurant' he argued.
'This event has been very traumatic, taking a human life is something he does not take lightly and will burden him for the rest of his life.'
There were about 10 customers eating in the restaurant when Washington entered, wearing a black ski mask and gloves, and started to rob the diners.
Many scattered to the ground and gave over their possessions in fear of Washington - who was later revealed to be taunting the taco shop with a fake firearm.
Washington's mother, Corine Goodman, said the shooter should have stopped firing as soon as there was no longer a threat.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
This tragedy would not have happened if he had not stopped to eat at a tacqueria! We need to close all the tacquerias and ban them! For the sake of the children.
From what I saw of the vid months ago, I probably wouldn’t have taken his last shot, but I wasn’t there, so who knows? Good to know the perp is not going to be a burden on the taxpayers.
The actual shooting itself, fully justified..
The post threat removed execution shot to the head after he was down and walking out the door and pouring his water on the corpse, while I can understand the emotion to do that, that’s where you get into legal problems.
Last shot is definitely where you get into legal hot water.
Everything up until that point, clear and present danger, protecting your life and life of others from terminal threat.
Threat is neutralized, that’s an execution at that point.
If this guy walks for that, even in Texas, I’ll be surprised.
If I remember correctly the shooter gives the money back to folks, realizes the robbers gun was a fake and flips out, and then also dumps his drink on the corpse as he walks out.
Been a while since I’ve seen the full video... but I have no issues with anything other than that execution shot... Really, really, really will be surprised, if, even in Texas, he doesn’t wind up facing something for that.
Could probably hit him up with abuse of a corpse and a few other things as well.
This why jury service is so important. You need at least one sane person on every jury.
Prepare to be surprised. He was no-billed by a grand jury. They can't charge him criminally for the crime again.
Personally, I think the GJ was correct in what they did. This guy deserved to be killed.
How have you been, Morgana? I hope you are doing good.
I don’t think you get how it works.
Grand Jury was presented certain charges don’t know what those were. But don’t think fr one minute other charges cannot be brought.
I have no issues with the execution shot.
The criminal justice system has failed us. The armed robber should never have been out of prison in the first place. This sort of thing keeps happening and we are on our own when the predators are released.
People will respond accordingly.
“Had this happened in California, the “vigilante” would be held w/o bail (in a no-cash bail state) and sent to prison for life.”
In my county, the sheriff would have praised the shooter for his marksmanship and eliminating the criminal. The prosecutor would rule the shooting justifiable.
California is an abnormal growth slowly destroying itself.
People are free to respond how they like, but don’t be surprised when you find yourself being charged for violating the law yourself.
No surprises here.
I have no illusions that the State in which I currently live would respect any claim of self-defense, no matter how well it might be justified. A use of deadly force around here would certainly be prosecuted regardless of circumstances.
Corine! “Yes?” Shut up.
That’s good news!!
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