HOUSTON, TEXAS – An armed robber met his demise when a customer at a local restaurant took action to protect himself and others. Eric Eugene Washington, 30, was shot and killed by the customer after attempting to rob the establishment with what was later discovered to be a fake gun in January last year. The shooter, a 46-year-old patron, fired nine times, striking Washington in the head and ultimately taking his life.
Following the incident, a grand jury in Texas has decided not to file criminal charges against the customer. The shooter claimed he was acting in defense of everyone in the restaurant, and security footage from the event showed that Washington was shot as he tried to flee the scene.
It was revealed that Washington had a history of criminal activity, including a previous six-year jail sentence for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon. He was also convicted in connection to a murder in 2015. The shooter’s attorney stated that his client was within his rights under Texas’ self-defense laws.
The victim’s family voiced their support for the customer, referring to him as a “true hero” who did the right thing in stopping the robber and protecting the community from a dangerous perpetrator. The incident highlights the permissive gun laws in Texas, where residents and non-residents over the age of 21 are allowed to carry handguns in most places in the state.
As a result, the grand jury’s decision not to press charges against the shooter reflects the state’s approach to self-defense and gun ownership. This case serves as a reminder of the complex legal and moral considerations surrounding self-defense and the use of firearms.