Grand jury REFUSES to indict 'hero' vigilante who shot and killed serial thief Eugene Washington at Houston taqueria as he walked away from robbery

A Texas vigilante who fatally shot a robber at a Houston restaurant last year will not be charged, a grand jury has decided.

The gunman, who was reportedly “protecting everyone” in the restaurant, struck 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington nine times with one bullet that struck him execution-style in the head.

Washington had entered the El Ranchito taqueria on January 5, 2023, flashing what appeared to be a gun, later discovered to be plastic, and robbing the residents inside.

The 46-year-old customer then shot Washington as he tried to flee the scene, security footage from the event shows.

A grand jury in Texas has now “no-indicted” the gunman, meaning no criminal charges will be filed against him in connection with the incident, the Harris County District Attorney's Office said in a statement.

The customer – seen sitting with his gun raised – shot the man at least nine times. A grand jury will decide whether he will be charged

The gunman, who asked to remain anonymous, was within his rights under Texas self-defense laws, his lawyer said at the time.

“In Texas, a shooting is justified in self-defense, the defense of others and in defense of property,” attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. said.

“Fearing for his life and that of his friend, my client acted to protect everyone in the restaurant,” he argued.

'This event has been very traumatic. Taking a human life is something he does not take lightly and will affect him for the rest of his life.”

About ten customers were eating in the restaurant when Washington entered, wearing a black ski mask and gloves, and began robbing the guests.

Many scattered on the ground and handed over their belongings in fear of Washington — who was later found to be mocking the taco shop with a fake firearm.

Washington's mother, Corine Goodman, said the gunman should have stopped shooting as soon as there was no longer a threat.

“If you had to kill him, I could handle it. I can work on that. He did something wrong, I understand that,” she said at the time.

“But that he gets shot four times in the back when he leaves and when he falls, he shoots him four more times. He abused him.'

Diners can be seen scattered anxiously on the floor as the robber walks around with the fake gun

Police arrived on the scene on January 5 after the fatal shooting

The fatal shooting occurred at Ranchito #4 Taqueria in southwest Houston, Texas

Washington already had a long criminal record. He was out on bond for domestic violence after attacking his girlfriend – and he previously served six years in prison for aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon.

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

Washington was convicted in 2015 in connection with the murder of 52-year-old Hamid Waraich, the owner of a Boost Mobile phone store, who was fatally shot in the back during a robbery. He was released on parole in 2021 after serving six years.

One of the victim's sons, Sean Waraich, called Washington “an evil criminal who derived joy from harassing and robbing innocent families.”

He called the taqueria vigilante a “true hero” and said he “did the right thing by stopping the robber and protecting the community from a dangerous perpetrator.”

Attorney Juan L. Guerra Jr. (pictured) said his client was within his rights to take the photo

Aman Waraich, another of Hamid's sons, said: “If the man who stopped Eric was about ten years ago, I might still have my father.”

Texas has some of the most permissive gun laws in the US. Residents and non-residents over the age of 21 are allowed to carry a gun – openly or concealed – in most places in the state.

This does not apply to people who have previously committed a crime.

As of September 2021, Texans do not need a permit to carry a handgun in the state.