Guest post by Jennifer Burke via Politistick
The Harris County Sheriff’s Department has announced that they have arrested and charged someone murder of Deputy Darren Goforth. A press conference will be held at 4:30 pm to “discuss the charging and arrest of the suspect responsible for the shooting death of Deputy Darren Goforth.”
Goforth was ambushed while pumping gas into his patrol car. He was dressed in uniform and on duty when someone approached him from behind and began shooting. Goforth was shot several times in the back and head. When he fell, witnesses say the shooter, now identified as Shannon J. Miles, stood over him and continued to fire more rounds into him.
Sheriff Ron Hickman said they have identified the suspect responsible for the senseless and cowardly act. We continue to evaluate the mountain of evidence collected by investigators and are actively interviewing witnesses that may have additional knowledge of the incident.”
He continued with praise of the law enforcement agency throughout the county who worked together to find Deputy Goforth’s killer. “I’m proud of the men and women that have worked swiftly to apprehend the responsible person who posed a significant threat to both law enforcement and the community at large,” Sheriff Hickman said.
Hickman announced that the Harris County District Attorney’s office, led by Devon Anderson, has accepted capital murder charges on Shannon J. Miles, a black male who was born 9/15/1984. Miles is currently in the custody of the Harris County Sheriff’s office. He does have a criminal history with previous arrests for resisting arrest, trespass, evading detention and disorderly conduct with a firearm.
Although police do have the suspect in custody, Sheriff Hickman said that no details regarding a motive have been determined. “As far as we know, Deputy Goforth had no previous contact with the suspect and it appears at the outset to be clearly unprovoked,” Sheriff Hickman contended.
Miles is the individual who has been in their custody since they searched a home in the Copperfield subdivision in Northwest Houston at 2:30 am, approximately one block from where the assassination of Goforth occurred, following a tip they received. A reporter asked Sheriff Hickman if that is indeed the suspect they have been questioning, why did they plea for the public’s help at a press conference earlier in the day.
Sheriff Hickman responded, “We always want to make sure we have left no stone unturned because the people who were at the scene that we have not talked to yet can have additional details to help solidify our case.
During the search of the home in question, it was reported that police recovered two bags of evidence and a weapon. Sheriff Hickman said at the press conference that ballistics were run and the weapon found at the home of Miles is a match to the one used to kill Deputy Goforth.
In Texas, capital murder is the same as first degree murder. It is defined as the defendant intentionally and knowingly caused the death of another person. According to Texas State law, in addition to that criteria, a person could be charged with capital murder, rather than murder, if the victim is a peace officer or fireman who was acting under lawful duty at the time of the crime.
Photo credit: breakingnews.com
Editors Note: This article is reprinted by permission from The Politistick courtesy of Jennifer & Matthew Burke.
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Jennifer Burke is a Co-Founder of PolitiStick and the Editor-in-Chief. She is a graduate of Texas A&M University and a certified teacher with 12 years experience in the classroom. Jennifer attended what is credited for being the first modern-day Tea Party rally in the country in the Seattle area and from there emerged as a powerful speaker and writer within the movement. While still in Washington State, Jennifer was selected to be a member of the second graduating class of the Jennifer Dunn Leadership Institute (JDLI), a program which identified future conservative leaders. Jennifer worked as the National Outreach Director for one of the largest conservative groups in the country and served as Managing Editor and writer for what quickly grew to become one of the top 15 conservative sites in the country. She brings to Politistick a passion for the fight for freedom for current and future generations.
