Houston police questioned and released a 46-year-old man who shot a robber nine times in a restaurant last week.
Police had been searching for the customer seen in surveillance video shooting the robber, later identified as Eric Eugene Washington, 30.
The vigilante and the other customers in the restaurant were gone when police arrived.
On Monday, an attorney representing the customer said his client was ready to talk, according to KHOU-11. The man was questioned by homicide detectives, then released without charges. His name was not released.
After consulting with the Harris County DA’s Office, Houston police said the case will be referred to a grand jury to determine if charges will be filed.
KHOU Legal Analyst Carmen Roe said the shooting appears to be justified because it was done in self-defense.
“One of the reasons that law enforcement is seeking out this individual is to find out whether he was in fear for his life or the lives of the people around him because that’s absolutely essential to a self-defense claim under the law,” Roe said. “If you’re justified in shooting the first bullet, you’re justified in continuing to shoot until the deadly threat is no longer there.”
The incident happened at Ranchito #4 Taqueria in southwest Houston on Thursday night. Washington entered the restaurant wearing black clothes, black gloves and a face mask.
Washington began waving a pistol and demanding money from the 10 customers inside.
As he passed one table, a customer jumped up and fired multiple times, killing him.
The customer pumped more bullets into Washington as he lay motionless on the floor. He then picked up the robber’s weapon – which turned out to be a plastic BB gun.
In one final coup de grâce, the customer shot Washington in the head as he stood over him.
The vigilante then removed money from the robber’s pocket and returned the cash to the other customers.
Police said in a report: “Officers were dispatched to a shooting call at the restaurant at the above address and observed an unknown black male in all black clothing, a black ski mask, and black gloves had been shot multiple times inside the business.”
Liberals on Twitter expressed outrage because Washington is Black. Twitter users say the final shot into his head was overkill and unnecessary.
But others say it’s difficult to predict what they would have done in a similar situation when adrenaline is flowing.
CAUTION: Video contains scenes of violence. Viewer discretion advised.
First few rounds are lawful – but then the customer retrieves the assailant’s gun from the ground and fires even after the threat has ended and he has the assailant’s gun in his hand pic.twitter.com/rXJN6yIKNS
— Jack Posobiec ?? (@JackPosobiec) January 8, 2023
If he was white and robbing the people it would be ok if they shot him? Leftist don’t want to take responsibility for the nuts in their group – always have an excuse for why they behave like animals. Maybe the next robber will think twice or die.
— people suck (@Umberto3C) January 8, 2023
