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On January 5 an “armed robber” identified as Eric Eugene Washington, 30, attempted to rob the Ranchito #4 Taqueria. And he was shot and killed by one of the customers.

The events took place on a Thursday night around 11:30 p.m. The restaurant is on S. Gessner near Bellaire Boulevard in Houston, TX.

Houston police say an “armed man” wearing gloves and a black ski mask came into the restaurant. He was demanding money and wallets from the 10 customers. Some of the patrons scattered to the floor as Washington waved the gun around and ran through the restaurant.

The entire event was caught on surveillance video.

Washington continued to taunt the customers as he collected their wallets and cash. And he pointed the gun at two men at a table and demanded their money. When he turned to other customers one of the men at the table pulled out a gun of his own. And shot the robber multiple times. 

First responders would pronounce Washington dead on the scene.

No one else was injured. 

“Armed robber” had a fake gun

The would-be robber was killed. The man who shot him retrieved the stolen cash to return to the other customers. He was horrified to discover the gun Washington used was a very real-looking toy. And he threw the gun at the wall.

Then the man who had stopped the robbery and the rest of the people in the restaurant left the scene before the police arrived.

“The robbery suspect he came into the store and was wearing masks and gloves,” Houston Police Detective Lt. Wilkens said. “He had a plastic pistol possibly an aero soft or possibly a little BB pistol.”

According to the Houston Police, Washington had an extensive criminal history. And in December he was charged with a domestic assault against his girlfriend.

The shooter with his attorney met with detectives on Monday, January 9.

Police are not releasing the 46-year-old man’s name since they are not filing charges, but the case will be referred to a grand jury.

The attorney for the man that shot the robber, say he was 'traumatized' and 'feared for his life' during the ordeal. And added that Washington’s death 'will burden him for the rest of his life.' But he pulled the trigger to 'protect everyone in the restaurant.'