HOUSTON - A Harris County grand jury will decide whether a Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital security guard faces charges in the fatal shooting of a 31-year-old man inside the emergency room over the weekend.

Houston police say the man arrived at the hospital around 6 p.m. Saturday seeking medical attention and told staff he was considering self-harm. About three hours later, he pulled a knife and ignored commands to drop it, according to investigators.

What happened inside the ER

The security team discharged three Tasers in response, police said at the scene. One brought the man to the ground, and guards moved in to take the knife. Police say the man then tried to grab the weapon back. That's when one guard opened fire, shooting the man three times in the torso. He later died.

Police say hospital staff recognized the man from previous visits but provided no indication of him causing problems in the past.

Why the case is going to a grand jury

Initial information suggests this may have been a self-defense shooting but the investigation is continuing. Then, the Harris County District Attorney's office is expected to present any evidence to a grand jury.

 Even the most clear case of self-defense or defense of others, even the most clear case and the circumstances will go to a grand jury,  said Wes Rucker, a defense attorney who previously worked in the DA's office.

He referenced previous cases of police misconduct which led to riots, changing local policy.

 The public needs to see the facts,  Rucker said.  The only way to really air that to the public is via the grand jury. You have an independent set of eyes that are going to look to see if there's probable cause that a crime was committed. 

No timeline has been set for when the grand jury will review the case.

#click2houston   #crimewatchhouston