HOUSTON, TEXAS – A Texas grand jury voted not to file charges against a man who shot and killed a robber during an attempted robbery at a restaurant in Houston. The decision was released by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg’s office, stating that the grand jury “no billed” the shooter, clearing him of any criminal wrongdoing.
The shooting took place at the El Ranchito restaurant on South Gessner on January 5, 2023, when 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington entered the restaurant and attempted to rob several customers. Surveillance video captured the shooting, in which the unidentified man, a customer at the restaurant, fired multiple shots at the robber as he passed by his booth.
Witnesses reported that the robber, Washington, pointed what appeared to be a gun at multiple customers while demanding their money. The armed customer intervened, shooting the robber multiple times and later realizing that the weapon used by the robber was fake. The customer then collected the stolen money and returned it to each individual in the restaurant.
According to ABC News, Washington was later found by law enforcement officers and was declared dead at the scene. Houston Police Lt. R. Wilkins stated that Washington had used a fake gun during the robbery. While the restaurant owner viewed the armed customer as a hero for taking down the robber, some people expressed concerns about the excessive use of force.
The customer’s attorney expressed confidence that the shooting was justified by state law, emphasizing that in Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others, and in defense of property. The customer has fully cooperated with the ongoing investigation, and the grand jury’s decision effectively cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.