Houston, Texas – A grand jury in Texas has decided not to press charges against a customer who shot and killed a would-be robber in a Houston restaurant last year, after the customer claimed he was protecting everyone in the restaurant.
The incident occurred when Eric Eugene Washington, 30, attempted to rob the El Ranchito taqueria on January 5, 2023, while carrying what appeared to be a gun but was later found to be plastic. The customer, who remains anonymous, shot Washington nine times, with one bullet striking him in the head, as seen in security footage from the event. A Texas grand jury has now ‘no billed’ the shooter, indicating that no criminal charges will be filed in relation to the incident, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
The shooter’s attorney stated that his client was within his right under Texas’ self-defense laws, as he claimed to have been acting in fear for his life and the lives of others in the restaurant. The shooter, who wished to remain anonymous, will not be charged, as per the decision of the grand jury.
Washington had a criminal history, including a previous conviction for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, and was on bond for domestic violence at the time of the incident. Despite his criminal record, Washington’s mother expressed the belief that the shooter should have stopped firing as soon as there was no longer a threat.
The grand jury’s decision not to press charges against the shooter has sparked controversy, with some expressing support for the shooter’s actions while others question the use of lethal force. The case underscores the complex and controversial nature of self-defense laws in Texas and the broader debate around gun rights and firearm regulations in the United States.
In the end, the grand jury’s decision not to pursue criminal charges against the customer who shot and killed the restaurant robber reflects the challenging and divisive nature of self-defense laws and gun rights in Texas.