Congressman Al Green, family of Joshua Johnson respond after grand jury declines to indict deputy

The family of Joshua Johnson responds to the grand jury’s decision to not indict the deputy involved in the deadly shooting. (KPRC)

HOUSTON – Congressman Al Green and the family of Joshua Johnson responded Saturday to the jury’s decision to not indict the deputy accused in Johnson’s death. They argued that the evidence and facts of the case should have warranted further criminal charges.

“We have a mountain of evidence in this case, a mountain of facts... And still we had no justice,” said James Hudson, a spokesperson for the Johnson family.

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Johnson, a Navy veteran, was shot down the street from his parent’s home on East Ritter Circle on April 22, 2020.

According to investigators, Johnson was shot and killed by a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy who was on a stakeout for a suspect in a capital murder from October. Investigators said Johnson was watching the home of a hospitalized neighbor, who lived down the street from his parent’s home when Johnson approached the deputy’s unmarked vehicle.

Investigators said Johnson knocked on the window and showed the undercover deputy a flashlight and a BB gun. Investigators said words were exchanged and then the deputy, later identified as Tu Tran, a 12-year veteran of the HCSO, shot Johnson killing him.

READ: Father of Joshua Johnson, veteran shot in deputy-involved-shooting, reveals new surveillance video from scene

District Attorney Kim Ogg said all evidence was presented to a grand jury from both parties and gave them the opportunity to come forward and testify. Ogg said the jury handed down a “no-bill,” declining to charge anyone with a crime.

Congressman Green and the Johnson family plan to meet with representatives of the DA’s office next Thursday to determine what type of evidence was presented to the jury.

“This is not over,” Green said. “We plan to pursue this. Their son has lost his life. And this is the answer that they get, ‘No bill.’ That’s not enough. We demand more. We will ask for it. We expect to get additional information, which will help us make better decisions about how to proceed with this case.”


About the Authors:

Daniela Sternitzky-Di Napoli has been a digital news editor at KPRC 2 since 2018. She is a published poet and has background in creative writing and journalism. Daniela has covered events like Hurricane Harvey and the Astros World Series win. In her spare time, Daniela is an avid reader and loves to spend time with her two miniature dachshunds.

Award-winning journalist, mother, YouTuber, social media guru, millennial, mentor, storyteller, University of Houston alumna and Houston-native.