Posted on 01/10/2023 12:45:42 PM PST by thegagline
A grand jury will decide whether an armed taqueria customer, who shot and killed a robber last week in southwest Houston and is now being hailed a hero, will be criminally charged.
Investigators said the 46-year-old customer, who police have not identified because he's not under arrest, turned himself in and is cooperating with detectives.
The 46-year-old's attorney sent Eyewitness News the following statement:
"My client, who wishes to remain anonymous, was dining with a friend at El Ranchito Taqueria and as it has been seen on video, a robbery suspect entered the restaurant, and pointed a weapon at my client and the other customers demanding money. In fear of his life and his friend's life my client acted to protect everyone in the restaurant.
In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property. The customer has met with the Harris County District Attorney's Office and Investigators with HPD homicide. He fully intends to continue cooperating with the ongoing investigation.
When the investigation is complete, this case will be presented to a Grand Jury. We are confident that a Grand Jury will conclude that the shooting was justified under Texas Law. 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. For that reason, he wishes to remain anonymous. Due to the overwhelming coverage, we ask the media and the public to respect his privacy."
University of Houston Law Center Professor Sandra Guerra Thompson said even if he is indicted, a jury likely would not convict.
"When a person uses force during an armed robbery, they have very heightened protection under the law," Thompson explained. "I know that there are a lot of questions about the use of a gun because it wasn't a real firearm, but that really doesn't make a difference because it was used as a firearm and a person would reasonably believe that they were facing an immediate threat of deadly force."
The suspect can be seen on video taking control of the taqueria and pointing what looks like a gun at customers.
Suddenly, one customer starts shooting, even moving closer to the suspect as he keeps firing shots.
He puts what looks like the customers' stolen money back on the table, then appears to realize the suspect's gun wasn't real.
***
On Monday, the medical examiner identified 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington as the robbery suspect who was killed.
Records show Washington had an extensive criminal history and was out on bond during the would-be robbery.
Records show that in 2015, Washington was convicted on a lesser charge of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection to the shooting death of 62-year-old Hamid Waraich, a cell phone store owner. Houston police also charged two other men.
According to records, Washington was released on parole in 2021 and charged with assaulting his girlfriend in December 2022. ***
Honestly, he should not have turned himself in.
He should be given a MEDAL and a cash reward! Not persection!
Full video of the shooting, with sound: https://twitter.com/i/status/1611824003932475392
Correct. Too many Americans are under the false impression that they have to cooperate and talk with law enforcement. My advice is to never talk to cops.
Although three rounds to the back, good. Two rounds to the torso while body on the ground, ok. One to the skull? Might be just a bit too much.
Can we see the 1970 F250 again?
“Honestly, he should not have turned himself in.”
Video of his face and his truck. They would have found him.
Im going to award him the First Paul Kersey award
>>Although three rounds to the back, good. Two rounds to the torso while body on the ground, ok. One to the skull? Might be just a bit too much.
Can we see the 1970 F250 again?<<
The idea is to aim for the center of mass and empty your clip. Where the bullets hit should be irrelevant. If this was premeditated our hero would have stopped and drawn down again then shot like the villain in a John Wicke movie. That is not what happened.
This is Texas so he might get off. But in most states he would be tried and possibly be convicted of a lesser charge because he fired at the back of the robber who was retreating.
>>Im going to award him the First Paul Kersey award<<
How DARE you make me look that up!! (lol)
There are three kinds of homicide: Felonious, Justifiable, and Praiseworthy ...
“Records show Washington had an extensive criminal history and was out on bond during the would-be robbery.”
How about putting the judges responsible for this scumrat out on the street in front of a Grand jury?
As long as the other shots that he made would have been fatal, the last shot would be irrelevant.
You’re right, they would have found him.
He handled the whole thing very well.
People should Google “Joe Horn” shooting. He was no billed by a Harris County grand jury years ago for something bigger.
When criminals are allowed to run free, vigilantes will rise up and many, including myself, support them.
“In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others and in defense of property.”
“defense of property”
Read the statutes before shooting someone stealing property.
Did anyone notice he was sharing a booth and a meal with what looks like a black man?
Yeah that was my take too. The first 3 shots entirely justified, the next 3 borderline, the last one definitely not (from a legal perspective). The jury might let him slide though because the robber seemed to be an especially nasty dirtball.
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