HOUSTON – Prosecutors have set no bond on a capital murder charge for the suspect arrested in connection to the October shooting death of Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Kareem Atkins, authorities announced in a news conference Monday.
Eddie Alberto Miller, 19, was arrested Sunday at 11:50 a.m. in the 4400 block of Williams Way Boulevard in Richmond, Fort Bend County.
Miller is also charged with two counts of attempted capital murder for the wounding of two other deputies, Darrell Garrett and Juqaim Barthen, outside a north Houston bar, authorities said.
According to Houston Police Chief Troy Finner, authorities arrested Miller with Deputy Atkins’ handcuffs.
Houston Police Department, Harris County Pct. 4 Constable and Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office were among several agencies that assisted in tracking the suspect down and making the arrest.
Finner called the arrest “a move to justice.”
“He knew what he did,” he said. “And I want to remind people, if you kill one of our officers, we will arrest you.”
Investigators, who also spoke in the news conference gathered “extensive” amounts of evidence that pointed to Miller, including financial transactions during the night of the shooting and surveillance video from 45 Norte Sports Bar.
Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman also gave an update on the condition of Deputy Garrett, who he said he “continues to fight the good fight” while in ICU.
“I’m a praying man. I went down on my knees to pray every night,” Hermann said. “Because these lives, they will never be the same.”
As of Monday, the investigation is still active and ongoing.
Atkins’ widow, Nadia, was also present during the news conference, thanked authorities.
“It’s a huge win for us,” she said. “I’m so grateful, thankful for the hard work that was put in.”
Authorities called the shooting, which happened on Oct. 16, an “ambush attack.”
It was an early Saturday morning when Atkins and fellow Precinct 4 deputies Juqaim Barthen and Darrell Garret were working an extra shift at 45 Norte Bar and Lounge.
At about 2:12 a.m., Atkins and Garrett responded to a report of a robbery outside the bar. As they were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect, a man with an AR-15 rifle ambushed the pair, striking both deputies. According to court documents, deputies were arresting an associate of Miller’s when he allegedly opened fire.
Upon hearing the gunshots, Barthen rushed outside to aid his fellow deputies and was also shot, the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office said.
Atkins died from his injuries, leaving behind a wife and 2-month-old child.
He was 30 years old and had recently returned from paternity leave.
Atkins joined the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office in January 2019. He, Barthen, and Garrett were best friends who were described as “brothers” who shared an unbreakable bond. Atkins’ father was also a deputy.
His death sent shock waves through the community, with those who knew him calling him a loving co-worker, mentor, friend, son, and father. His funeral was filled with emotional tributes from those he knew.
You can watch the full press conference below.
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