HOUSTON – Four years after shooting death of Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Kareem Atkins, a verdict has been reached.
Eddie Alberto Miller was found guilty of capital murder for killing Atkins and injuring two other deputies, Darrell Garrett and Juqaim Barthen, outside a north Houston bar in October 2021.
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Authorities called the shooting, which happened on Oct. 16, 2021, an “ambush attack.”
It was an early Saturday morning when Atkins and fellow Precinct 4 deputies Juqaim Barthen and Darrell Garret were working an extra shift at 45 Norte Bar and Lounge.
At about 2:12 a.m., Atkins and Garrett responded to a report of a robbery outside the bar. As they were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect, a man with an AR-15 rifle ambushed the pair, striking both deputies. According to court documents, deputies were arresting an associate of Miller’s when he allegedly opened fire.
Upon hearing the gunshots, Barthen rushed outside to aid his fellow deputies and was also shot, the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office said.
Atkins died from his injuries, leaving behind a wife and 2-month-old child.
He was 30 years old and had recently returned from paternity leave.
Atkins joined the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable’s Office in January 2019. He, Barthen, and Garrett were best friends who were described as “brothers” who shared an unbreakable bond. Atkins’ father was also a deputy.
His death sent shock waves through the community, with those who knew him calling him a loving co-worker, mentor, friend, son, and father. His funeral was filled with emotional tributes from those he knew.
During Miller’s initial arrest, they used Deputy Atkins’ handcuffs, calling the arrest “a move to justice.”
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