Houston Taqueria Shooter Declared Not Guilty by Harris County Grand Jury

HOUSTON, Texas – The attorney representing the man who shot and killed an armed robber at a taqueria in southwest Houston has expressed satisfaction with the Harris County grand jury’s decision to declare the shooting a justifiable homicide. Juan L. Guerra, Jr., the shooter’s attorney, stated that “Twelve people of Harris County concluded what all of us concluded: it was justifiable homicide. The danger at the time was real, and he acted accordingly.”

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Guerra, breaking his silence since the incident in January 2023, emphasized that his client, who wishes to remain anonymous, is “extremely relieved” about the outcome. However, he continues to harbor concerns about potential retaliation.

The incident, which was captured on surveillance cameras, led to community activists labeling the shooter as a vigilante and calling for murder charges. However, on Wednesday, the Harris County District Attorney’s Office announced that the grand jury had declined to charge the 46-year-old man.

In an interview with ABC13, Guerra revealed additional details about the case. He disclosed that the armed suspect, Eric Eugene Washington, was robbing customers at gunpoint at The Ranchito #4 on S. Gessner when the shooting occurred. Guerra’s client, recognizing that his best friend’s son was in imminent danger, made the split-second decision to intervene.

The surveillance video shows the shooter discreetly drawing his weapon and firing multiple shots at Washington when his back was turned. After subduing the suspect, the shooter returned the stolen items to the customers before realizing that Washington’s gun was a fake. Filled with remorse, he expressed regret over the loss of Washington’s life, regardless of the authenticity of the firearm.

Guerra stated, “He was visibly upset that this young man lost his life over a fake gun. And it doesn’t matter in Texas whether it was fake or not.” The attorney emphasized that his client had acted out of a genuine concern for the safety of others and would have had to live with the guilt had he not intervened.

Despite the outcome, Guerra acknowledged the traumatic impact the incident has had on his client. He called the ordeal tragic but expressed gratitude for the presence of surveillance cameras, asserting that the video evidence played a crucial role in the grand jury’s decision. Guerra remarked, “Videos are the most important pieces of evidence.”

In conclusion, the Harris County grand jury’s ruling to declare the shooting at the southwest Houston taqueria a justifiable homicide has been welcomed by the shooter’s attorney, Juan L. Guerra, Jr. The incident, captured on surveillance cameras, revealed the shooter’s genuine concern for the safety of others as he intervened to protect his best friend’s son. The attorney expressed remorse over the loss of the suspect’s life, irrespective of the authenticity of the weapon used. The video evidence played a significant role in the grand jury’s decision, which has brought relief to the shooter, who wishes to remain anonymous.