HOUSTON, TEXAS – A grand jury in Harris County, Texas, has decided not to file charges against a man who fatally shot a robber at a restaurant in southwest Houston last year. The decision comes after the man, who has not been identified, shot and killed 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington during an attempted robbery at the El Ranchito restaurant on January 5, 2023.
According to the Harris County District Attorney’s office, the grand jury concluded that there was not enough probable cause to charge the shooter, effectively clearing him of any criminal wrongdoing. The decision was made after security video footage captured the shooting incident at the restaurant.
Witnesses reported that Washington entered the restaurant wearing a mask and black clothing, appearing to have a gun which he pointed at multiple customers while demanding money. In response, one of the customers pulled out a gun and shot Washington multiple times, later revealing that the robber’s weapon was fake.
Following the shooting, the armed customer collected the stolen money and returned it to each of the individuals in the restaurant. Washington was later found by law enforcement officers and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.
The shooting incident sparked debate, with some viewing the armed customer as a hero for taking down the robber, while others argued that he should face charges for excessive use of force. The customer’s attorney, however, expressed confidence that the shooting would be justified under state law, claiming that his client acted in self-defense to protect everyone in the restaurant.
In the end, the grand jury’s decision not to file charges against the shooter reflects the conclusion that there was insufficient evidence to show criminal wrongdoing in the fatal shooting at the Houston restaurant.