Bodycam Footage Released After Deputies Fatally Shoot Man at Harris County Exxon Gas Station During Early Morning Confrontation Following 911 Disturbance Call
HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – April 12, 2025 — The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has publicly released body camera and surveillance footage shedding light on a tense and tragic encounter that occurred in the early morning hours of February 27, ultimately ending in the fatal shooting of a man by deputies. The incident took place around 3:05 a.m. at an Exxon gas station near Interstate 45 North Freeway and West Road.
The footage, made public on Friday, offers new details into the rapidly escalating confrontation and has reignited discussions surrounding police use of force, de-escalation tactics, and mental health response in law enforcement.
What Happened: Timeline of the Incident
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO), deputies were dispatched to the Exxon station following a 911 call reporting a disturbance involving a man who was allegedly acting erratically and threatening others at the location.
Upon arriving at the scene, two uniformed deputies approached a man outside the gas station convenience store. The man, whose identity has not yet been officially released pending next-of-kin notification, appeared agitated and non-compliant with commands issued by deputies.
Bodycam footage shows the deputies attempting to engage the individual verbally, urging him to calm down and remain still. According to the sheriff’s office, the deputies initially attempted to de-escalate the situation, but the man reportedly refused to comply, displayed increasingly aggressive behavior, and at one point appeared to reach into his waistband.
Moments later, as the confrontation intensified, deputies discharged their weapons — striking the man multiple times. He was transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Sheriff’s Office Statement and Justification
In a press conference Friday morning, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez addressed the public and media, stating that the bodycam and surveillance footage were being released in the interest of transparency.
“This was a fast-moving and dangerous situation,” Gonzalez said. “While our deputies tried to resolve the incident peacefully, they were ultimately forced to make a life-or-death decision based on the perceived threat to their own safety and the public.”
The sheriff acknowledged the emotional toll such incidents take on all parties involved and confirmed that the deputies have been placed on administrative duty pending the results of both an internal affairs investigation and a review by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
Public Reaction and Community Concerns
Community reaction to the shooting and subsequent video release has been mixed. While some have expressed support for the deputies’ actions, citing the dangerous and unpredictable nature of the call, others have raised concerns about the level of force used and questioned whether additional mental health crisis intervention resources could have been utilized.
Civil rights advocates have called for an independent review of the incident, with several community groups urging the sheriff’s office to provide further details about the man’s behavior before deputies arrived and whether bodycam footage from all responding officers has been made available.
“We recognize that law enforcement officers face high-pressure decisions,” said Kendra Lee, a spokesperson for the Harris County Justice Coalition. “But we also have to ask: was everything done to avoid this outcome? Was this man met with help or with force?”
Use of Force Policies Under Review
This incident marks the third deputy-involved shooting in Harris County so far in 2025, intensifying scrutiny on use-of-force policies and prompting renewed calls for improved training in mental health response and crisis negotiation.
Sheriff Gonzalez has acknowledged that the department is reviewing its internal protocols, including how deputies assess and respond to individuals who may be experiencing behavioral health crises.
“We are committed to learning from every encounter,” Gonzalez said. “Our goal is to protect life whenever possible — that includes the lives of our deputies and the community members we serve.”
What’s Next?
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office has stated that the District Attorney’s Office will independently assess the incident to determine whether the use of force was justified. The sheriff’s department is also conducting a parallel internal investigation to ensure that all policies and procedures were followed.
In the meantime, community members are being encouraged to attend a town hall meeting scheduled for next week, where local leaders and law enforcement officials will discuss police accountability, transparency, and strategies to prevent future tragedies.
Anyone with additional information or who witnessed the February 27 incident is urged to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers of Houston.