Former Harris Co. sergeant found not guilty of murder in 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks

HOUSTON – A jury found former Harris County Sheriff’s Sergeant Garrett Hardin not guilty of murder Monday in the 2022 shooting death of Roderick Brooks.

The shooting happened on July 8, 2022.

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The confrontation between Hardin and Brooks was captured on body camera footage, which shows Hardin chasing Brooks after an apparent shoplifting incident at a Dollar General on FM 1960.

Investigators reported that during a struggle on the ground, Brooks gained control of Hardin’s Taser, prompting the sergeant to fire his weapon.

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In 2023, Hardin’s attorney called the indictment against his client a “joke.”

He emphasized that the video evidence clearly showed Brooks attempting to grab the Taser during the encounter.

“If you look carefully at that video, you will see the suspect is starting to turn and grab the Taser,” Keiter said.