CLAUDE, Texas (AP) — A grand jury has declined to indict a Texas Panhandle deputy who fatally shot a domestic violence suspect as the man assaulted a sheriff during booking.
Armstrong County sheriff’s Deputy Fleta Barnett was no-billed on Tuesday.
Investigators say Barnett opened fire at the jail in Claude as 52-year-old Mitch Thompson attacked Armstrong County Sheriff J.R. Walker.
The sheriff and Barnett on Aug. 31 responded to a domestic disturbance call in Claude and arrested Thompson. Authorities say the suspect allegedly used a knife to threaten his wife.
Thompson overpowered the sheriff during the booking process. A prosecutor says Barnett tried to stop the assault but she was unable to do so and then fatally shot the suspect.
Walker was hospitalized following the attack but has since returned to work.
