CYPRESS, Texas – The man accused of opening fire inside a Kroger grocery store in northwest Harris County is now facing a felony charge as investigators continue piecing together what led to the shooting.
According to the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office, Kaden Ausbrooks has been charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon Causing Serious Bodily Injury, a first-degree felony.
Deputies say they were called to the Kroger located in the 20300 block of Cypresswood Drive Wednesday after receiving reports of an active shooter inside the store.
Authorities say deputies arrived in less than two minutes and took Ausbrooks into custody as he was leaving the store.
Investigators said the suspect is currently receiving medical treatment at a local hospital and will be booked into the Harris County Jail once he is released.
The victim remains hospitalized in stable but critical condition. Investigators said no one else was injured.
The Kroger store has since reopened, and the company is providing counseling services to employees who were working during the shooting.
Expert: Have a plan before an emergency happens
In the wake of the shooting, KPRC 2 spoke with Tim Reboulet, a former U.S. Secret Service agent with M6 Global Defense, about what people can do to better protect themselves if they ever find themselves caught in a violent situation.
Reboulet teaches what he calls the “Four E’s”:
- Educate – Have a plan before an emergency happens. Talk with your family about meeting locations if you’re separated and identify exits whenever you enter a public place.
- Evade – If you cannot immediately escape, move from cover to cover while looking for a safer route away from danger.
- Escape – If there’s a safe opportunity to leave, get out as quickly as possible instead of staying inside the building.
- Engage – Fighting back should only be considered as a last resort when there are no other options and your life or someone else’s life is in immediate danger.
Reboulet also encourages people to stay aware of their surroundings and avoid becoming distracted by their cell phones while out in public. He says paying attention to what’s happening around you could provide valuable seconds to recognize danger and react.
The investigation into the Kroger shooting remains ongoing.