Houston Deputy Indicted on Murder Charge Over Fatal Shooting of Shoplifting Suspect
Sgt. Garrett Hardin charged in 2022 death of Roderick Brooks; Hardin could face life in prison and has been relieved of duty pending internal review, while a federal civil rights lawsuit filed by Brooks' family continues.
- Sgt. Garrett Hardin, a Houston-area deputy, has been indicted by a grand jury for murder over the fatal shooting of Roderick Brooks, a 47-year-old Black man, during a shoplifting incident in July 2022.
- The confrontation took place at a north Houston Dollar Tree store, where Brooks allegedly fled after taking several items without paying. A body camera footage showed Hardin telling Brooks to stop and get on the ground or he would use a stunned gun on him, which he did before knocking Brooks to the ground.
- It was unclear from the video if Brooks still had the stun gun in his hand when he was fatally shot by Hardin, who was heard on the video saying shots were fired and calling for medical help.
- Hardin, who was originally on administrative leave since the shooting, will be relieved of duty pending an internal review. If convicted of murder, he could face a sentence of up to life in prison.
- In September 2022, Brooks' family filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Hardin. The lawsuit, citing Hardin's history of suspensions within the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, remains pending.
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