Customer fatally shot robbery suspect and returned money to patrons at Texas taqueria, police say
A customer at a Texas taqueria allegedly shot and killed an armed robbery suspect before returning stolen money back to other patrons, Houston police said.
On Monday, they tweeted that the man they said fired the fatal shots, 46, "was questioned by homicide detectives today. After consultation w/@HarrisCountyDAO, the incident will be referred to a grand jury. Since the male is not arrested or charged, his name is not being released at this time."
On Sunday, CBS Houston affiliate KHOU-TV reported that an attorney for the man who allegedly killed the masked robber had said his client was ready to talk.
Police said in a news release they responded to a call about a shooting at The Ranchito #4 in southwest Houston on Thursday. Upon arriving, they found a man wearing all-black clothing, a ski mask and gloves, with multiple gunshot wounds. The suspect, who was not yet identified, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Based on accounts from witnesses, police said he entered the restaurant, pointed a pistol at patrons and demanded money. As the robber took money from customers, one of them brandished his own gun and shot the robber multiple times, police said.
Video from KHOU showed the robber waving around his gun and taking money, as the shooter waited for him to turn his back before he fired away.
"The shooter collected the stolen money from the suspect and returned the money to other patrons," police said.
The gunman and other patrons left the scene.
On Friday, police released an image of the shooter, and the vehicle he was driving in. Police said it was a 1970s or 1980s model pickup truck with no bed.
