Eric Eugene Washington Wiki

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A Texas grand jury will decide whether to bring criminal charges against a customer who shot and killed a robber in a Houston taco shop last week.

Eric Eugene Washington, 30, died after being shot nine times, one hitting him in the head execution-style, by a vigilante patron who was said to be “protecting everyone” at the Texas restaurant.

It can now be revealed that Washington had a lengthy rap sheet, most recently including domestic violence and aggravated assault. He was also on probation for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

The Ranchito 4 Taqueria customer has been hailed a hero after pointing his gun at a would-be robber, who entered the local restaurant, pointed a fake gun at customers and demanded they return cash.

Charged

The 46-year-old client, who is believed to be Hispanic and left the scene in a dusty pickup truck, has not yet been identified because he is not under arrest. Authorities say he is cooperating with detectives and will now decide if he will face charges.

Eric Eugene Washington, 30, died after being shot multiple times by an armed diner at a local taco shop that he was trying to rob. Washington had a lengthy rap sheet that included jail time for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

The client, seen sitting with his gun raised, shot the man at least nine times after he was robbed. The police are talking to him and a grand jury will decide if he will be charged.
The client, who is seen in the clip firing as the burglar appears to be heading for the door, was left “traumatized” and “fearing for his life” during the ordeal, his attorney said.

He added that killing someone “will burden him for the rest of his life,” but he pulled the trigger to “protect everyone in the restaurant.”

There were about 10 customers eating at the restaurant when Washington walked in, wearing a black ski mask and gloves, and began ambushing and robbing diners.

Many fell to the ground and handed over their possessions in fear of Washington, who was later revealed to have been taunting the taco shop with a fake firearm.

Now, the records illustrate Washington’s extensive criminal history that includes a recent misdemeanor charge of domestic battery against his girlfriend, which occurred in December 2022.

Court documents also confirmed that Washington was paroled in 2021 on a conviction for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, for which he had been sentenced to 15 years behind bars.

Shooting

‘In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, defense of others, and defense of property. Client has met with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and HPD Homicide Investigators. He fully intends to continue to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.

‘When the investigation is complete, this case will be presented to a Grand Jury. We are confident that a Grand Jury will find that the shooting was justified under Texas Law.

“This event has been very traumatic, taking a human life is something you do not take lightly and it will weigh you down for the rest of your life. For that reason, he wishes to remain anonymous. Due to the overwhelming coverage, we ask the media and the public to respect their privacy.”

The would-be thief can be seen on surveillance video taking control of the taqueria and pointing a fake gun at customers as they take money from their wallets and place it on the tables and floor.

They were all scared, nervous. I was also. Some customers were sitting here, others were there, the money left and was going to leave.

‘You never really know what’s going to happen.’

Experts believe the client will most likely not face charges, as his use of excessive deadly force was justified considering the circumstances.

Former Houston police officer, now a lawyer, Thomas Nixon said: “The person you shot was in the process of committing robbery, and consequently his use of force in defense of himself and innocent third parties is completely justified in Texas.”

“He had a reasonable fear of serious bodily injury or death.”