An off-duty Harris County sheriff’s deputy fatally shot a 27-year-old man who allegedly tried to enter the deputy’s vehicle where his young child was seated, authorities said.
The incident unfolded around 2:45 p.m. on Friday outside the deputy’s home in Atascocita, approximately 20 miles northeast of downtown Houston. According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez and Maj. Ben Katrib, the deputy had just placed his small child in a car seat when the man, later identified as Darrius Williams, approached and attempted to open the passenger door.
The deputy reportedly called 911, informing dispatchers that he had someone at gunpoint. Despite multiple verbal commands to stop, Williams ignored the warnings and continued his attempt to enter the vehicle, prompting the deputy to fire multiple shots, striking Williams.
First responders arrived at the scene and provided aid, but Williams was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital. The deputy and his child were unharmed in the encounter. It remains unclear whether Williams was armed or how many times he was shot.
Williams had been released from jail the night before the incident, according to his mother, Tieneeshia Williams. She told reporters that her son had been struggling with mental health issues and was recently detained for walking into oncoming traffic. He also had an outstanding warrant for failure to appear in court. Tieneeshia mentioned that an officer had considered taking him to a psychiatric ward but instead arrested him on the warrant.
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office have launched separate investigations into the shooting. No charges have been filed against the deputy, whose identity has not been released. Upon completion of the probes, the district attorney’s office plans to present the findings to a grand jury to determine if any charges are appropriate.
Sources indicate that Ring camera footage from the area may have captured the event, potentially aiding the ongoing investigations.
five times. Seems a bit excessive.
that’s not for you to decide
Following his training: you shoot until the threat stops. If the threat doesn’t stop you keep firing. Standard self-defense procedure. The assailant controls the escalation, if Williams had stopped at any point up until the deputy was forced to open fire then he would still be around. His mental issues don’t matter under these circumstances when he’s threatening the safety and life of a young child.
He didn’t shoot anyone. He just took out the trash.