A former Hays County Sheriff’s Office corrections officer has been indicted and charged with shooting an inmate multiple times during an altercation in a Texas hospital.
Originally, sources reported after the incident, the officer was placed on administrative leave for 10 days before being allowed to come back to work. However, after an investigation by Texas top cops, the man has since been terminated.
Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced the news that Isaiah Garcia, 27, has been charged with deadly conduct, a third-degree felony offense in the fatal shooting of Joshua Leon Wright, 36, at Ascension Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle on Dec. 12, 2022, according to the Austin American-Statesman.
In a statement released on Friday, April 7, authorities stated, “While the Hays County Sheriff’s Office strongly supports our deputies and corrections officers and the duties, many of which put their safety at risk, that they must carry out on a daily basis, we also respect and honor the criminal justice process, including yesterday’s decision by the Grand Jury to move forward with charges in this case.”
The Texas Rangers led the investigation into the shooting, reviewing evidence including footage from Garcia’s bodycam. They presented their findings to the grand jury, who decided to indict.
“A grand jury is composed of 12 citizens from Hays County and serves as an independent voice of the community,” Higgins said. “After hearing the evidence, the grand jury determined that the offense of deadly conduct was the most appropriate charge.”
The Wright family’s attorneys released a statement after the indictment was released, according to KXAN.
“The family of Joshua Wright is relieved by news of this indictment, as it gets us one step closer to ensuring that former officer Garcia will be held accountable for his deadly actions,” the statement read. “It is crucial that when officers act violently…
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