HOUSTON — A man charged with killing a suburban Houston officer first shot the 10-year veteran in the back of the head and fired a total of 15 times, authorities said Monday.
Shannon J. Miles, who is accused of capital murder and whose criminal record includes convictions for resisting arrest and disorderly conduct with a firearm, appeared briefly in state District Court in handcuffs and shackles. The 30-year-old Houston resident said little, other than to answer the judge’s questions. He’s being held without bail. Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson would not comment on a motive, saying investigators were still trying to figure that out. When asked whether it might be connected to heightened tensions around the country between law enforcement and civilians, Anderson said, “I have no idea whether it does or not.”
Anthony Osso, one of Miles’ two court-appointed attorneys, said his client intends to plead not guilty.
Surveillance video Friday night from a gas station in the Houston suburb of Cypress showed Deputy Darren Goforth, 47, had just come out of a convenience store after he had pumped gas and that Miles got out of his red truck, Anderson said.
“He runs up behind Deputy Goforth and puts the gun to the back of his head and shoots. Deputy Goforth hits the ground and then he continues to unload his gun, shooting repeatedly into the back of Deputy Goforth,” Anderson said.
