Last Updated on January 7, 2023
Houston police want to question a man who shot and killed a robber inside a taco shop Thursday.
A tense scene occurred in a Ranchito Taqueria restaurant in downtown Houston when a masked robber armed with a pellet gun entered and began pointing his weapon at patrons while demanding they turn over their wallets and money.
CCTV footage shows customers giving the robber money while the robber frantically paces around the restaurant floor. One customer is seen getting up from his booth, pulling out his firearm, and shooting the robber multiple times, ultimately killing him.
After shooting the robber, the man returned the money the robber had stolen before leaving the scene.
WATCH:
A customer at Ranchito Taqueria shot and killed a man who robbed the restaurant in southwest Houston late Thursday night
the customer who shot the robber in the video has not been identified and is not charged at this time. pic.twitter.com/mmzpg5UeqW— jinyoJr (@JinyoJr) January 6, 2023
“Surveillance photos of the male (and his vehicle) wanted for questioning in this fatal shooting of a robbery suspect last night (Jan. 5),” the Houston Police department tweeted out Friday morning with an image of the shooter and his vehicle, an old, rusty truck.
UPDATE: Surveillance photos of the male (and his vehicle) wanted for questioning in this fatal shooting of a robbery suspect last night (Jan. 5).
Know the man's ID? Call HPD Homicide 713-308-3600. He is not charged at this time.
More info at https://t.co/ldFdhIXy1g#hounews https://t.co/CIqpLEQmmM pic.twitter.com/FrL42qkjxu
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) January 6, 2023
The Houston police claim the man is only “wanted for questioning” and is “not charged at this time.”
However, earlier this week, a Dollar General clerk was charged with manslaughter after he killed a armed robber in the store.
Social media users jumped to defend the taco shop man who shot the robber. “No need for questioning. Just leave him alone. The robber got what he deserved. All these armed robbers deserve that fate,” one Twitter user said.
“At this time? He shouldn’t be charged at all. He’s able to do the job that you cowards and tyrants will never do,” another tweeted.
A former Houston police officer and current lawyer, Thomas Nixon, told KPRC 2, “the person he 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 was reasonably in fear of serious bodily injury or death,” Nixon added.
Stay tuned to National File for any updates.
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