Sheriff Vows Thorough Investigation In Deputy-Involved Shooting

HOUSTON, TX — Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said Monday that the internal investigation into a deputy-involved shooting on March 22 is still ongoing.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office released dashcam video taken from Deputy Cameron Brewer's patrol car, and records audio at the time that Brewer shot and killed Danny Ray Thomas, who was unarmed.

Brewer was on patrol and driving southbound on Imperial Valley when he reached the intersection of Greens Road at 12:51 p.m, and saw Thomas and another man shoving one another in the street.

The video shows Brewer get out of his car and he can be heared ordering Thomas to stop and lay on the ground.

Thomas, who had his pants down around his ankles, was seen walking toward Brewer who was out of the camera shot, but was heard telling Thomas to stop and lay down before he fires a single shot that killed Thomas.

Gonzalez said in a press release that Brewer also had a Taser, but it didn't appear that he tried to use it to stop Thomas.

Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs investigators have reviewed multiple witness videos of the incident, and the deputy’s dash camera video, but none viewed so far include images of the actual shooting.

The Sheriff’s Office internal investigation said Brewer was issued a body-worn camera less than two hours before the shooting, but that he was not wearing the camera.

The camera’s battery was charging in the deputy’s vehicle and the camera was not in use, Gonzalez said in his statement.

“We hold the public’s trust as sacred, and we know that this trust must be earned every single day,” Gonzalez said. “I will personally see to it that our investigation is conducted fairly, thoroughly, and expeditiously.”

Nearly 400 deputies have been issued body-worn cameras and received training on their use this year.

By May, all patrol deputies are expected to be wearing the devices.

Brewer, who is on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, joined the Harris County Sheriff’s Office in June 2016.

He has seven years of law enforcement experience.

Policies and training on the use of non-lethal and lethal force -- particularly with suspects who may be in the throes of a mental health episode -- are being thoroughly reviewed.

According to Thomas' family members, he was distraught over the deaths of his children last year, who were drowned by his ex-wife.

Anyone with information regarding this deputy-involved shooting is urged to contact the Houston Police Department, which is conducting an independent criminal investigation into the incident.

Once the investigation is concluded, the findings will be forwarded to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office where charges could be filed against Brewer.

Image: Renee Schiavone

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