HOUSTON – A Harris County deputy has been indicted for murder in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Levincer Swanson, who was shot to death outside a north Harris County gas station, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
A Harris County grand jury handed up an indictment charging Deputy Aileen Jimenez Barboza, 36, with murder after an Internal Affairs investigation found she violated multiple policies in connection with the 2025 fatal shooting.
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What happened
Although full details are not clear, according to initial reports of the shooting, on Feb. 27, 2025, deputies were dispatched to an Exxon gas station located at 1303 North Freeway at West Road in response to a 911 call reporting that a man was behaving erratically and destroying the fuel pumps.
Two deputies, including Barboza, approached the man, later identified as Swanson, and commanded him to lay on the ground. A physical struggle ensued, and Barboza fired two gunshots, striking Swanson, who later died from his wounds.
Deputy faces termination
On Thursday, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Administrative Disciplinary Committee recommended the termination of Deputy Barboza.
Barboza was placed on non-law enforcement duty immediately following the shooting and had remained in that role until Thursday’s termination decision.
Barboza, who has been a Sheriff’s Office employee since 2010, may now appeal her termination, which is her right under the civil service employment system, according to a release.
The Sheriff’s Office publicly released body camera and other video footage of the Feb. 27, 2025, incident last April.