HOUSTON – New details shared by Houston police are giving a broader picture about what happened when a San Jacinto County deputy shot and killed a man in custody inside a Kingwood hospital room.
It all started, HPD explained in its news release, around 8:50 p.m., when Jarmar Brooks, 34, went back to his hospital room at HCA Houston Healthcare in Kingwood after a medical procedure. Before that, court records show Brooks was arrested on Sunday night on several felony charges, including aggravated family violence assault. Investigators said Brooks needed medical treatment before he would be booked at San Jacinto Co. jail.
BACKGROUND: Deputy accused of shooting, killing inmate during fight over gun at Kingwood hospital
Once inside the room, Brooks, who already had his wrists in handcuffs, asked an unidentified San Jacinto Co. deputy assigned to monitor him, to “loosen his leg restraints.” When the officer went to do so, police said Brooks grabbed the deputy’s collar on his outer vest. The officer tried to break free, investigators said, and create some distance, but Brooks got up.
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From there, police said the deputy took out his baton and hit Brooks several times “while issuing verbal commands for the suspect to stop.” The report said Brooks “continued advancing and again grabbed the deputy by the collar of his outer vest.”
The deputy then fell, officials said, with Brooks “landing on top of the deputy.” It was at that point, the fight over the gun ensued, where police said Brooks “attempted to gain control of the deputy’s firearm and successfully grabbed the firearm.” The fight continued with the officer “regaining control of his firearm” and from there, shot Brooks several times.
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Officials say the deputy notified dispatch and hospital staff immediately afterward, who “arrived promptly and began lifesaving measures” but to no avail.
KPRC2 spoke with Brooks sister, Sherree Brooks. She rushed to the hospital Monday night after she got a call from the doctor.
“He was telling us that we had a loved one. He’s been shot seven times and that’s all he was able to tell us. And they started CPR and that was it. I’m feeling terrible. I’m having mixed feelings,” said Sherree Brooks.
At the scene Monday night, Cpt. Hassig with HPD described the deputy as having 5 months with the San Jacinto Co. Sheriff’s Office, but his identity has not been released, as of this writing. Since the incident occurred in Houston, HPD’s Homicide Division is taking the lead on the investigation, along with the Texas Rangers to figure out everything and present what they’ve gathered to the Montgomery Co. District Attorney’s Office.
In a written statement, the San Jacinto Co. Sheriff’s Office offered condolences to the man’s family while also asking for patience as the investigation is conducted.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone affected by this tragic event,” the statement read. “We ask for patience and understanding as the investigation unfolds.”