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.
BACKGROUND: Deputy accused of shooting, killing inmate during fight over gun at Kingwood hospital
Recommended Videos
It all started, HPD explained in its news release, around 8:50 p.m., when Jamar Brooks, 34, went back to his hospital room at HCA Houston Healthcare in Kingwood after a medical procedure. Before that, court records show he was arrested on several felony charges and needed medical treatment before he would be booked at San Jacinto Co. jail.
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.
MORE CRIME-RELATED NEWS COVERAGE
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.
SEE ALSO: Man calls Houston police saying he shot, killed person rummaging inside his car in Alief
Officials say the deputy notified dispatch and hospital staff immediately afterward, who “arrived promptly and began lifesaving measures” but to no avail.
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.”