Former Harris County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Garrett Hardin was found not guilty of killing Roderick Brooks

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – Former Harris County sheriff's sergeant Garret Hardin was found not guilty by a jury Monday of killing Roderick Brooks.

Court began shortly before 9:45 a.m. Monday morning. Shortly thereafter, the state and defense began reading closing arguments.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Roderick Brooks: Harris County deputy charged with first-degree murder in fatal shooting

Jurors began deliberating around 11:30 a.m., but at 3:08 p.m. the jury found Hardin not guilty.

“He and his family are very grateful for the verdict and very relieved,” said his lawyer Lisa Andrews.

This all happened after Hardin shot and killed 47-year-old Roderick Brooks in July 2022 while responding to a shoplifting call on FM 1960.

Initial reports said Brooks had pushed a Dollar store manager during a shoplifting attempt.

Body-worn camera video released of fatal deputy-involved shooting

Body-worn camera video of the fatal shooting involving Roderick Brooks and HCSO veteran Sgt. Garret Hardin shows a fight breaking out between the two.

Investigators believe it was Hardin's Taser. Brooks was then shot by Hardin. The jury acquitted Hardin after video evidence showed Brooks had grabbed the sergeant's Taser.

In 2023, a grand jury indicted Hardin on murder charges.

Get news, weather and more with the new FOX LOCAL app

Hardin's lawyers say the deputy acted in self-defense, a side the jury chose.

“That's what we said all along – that he was afraid for his life because Roderick Brooks was going to do something to him,” Andrews said.

The Brooks family said in a statement through their attorney Sadiyah A. Evangelista-Karriem:

“Today’s verdict is a devastating blow not only to the family of Roderick Brooks, but to everyone who believes in justice and accountability. “The decision to acquit Sgt. Garett Hardin leaves the family angry and hurt despite the overwhelming evidence of excessive and unreasonable force.”, and called into question the integrity of our justice system, and today his family was deprived of the justice they deserved. We are deeply disappointed that this ruling does not hold Sgt. accountable. For Roderick, this decision is a painful reminder that the scales of justice are not always balanced. She will continue to seek every opportunity to take responsibility and change for every family affected by police violence.”