No charges for officer in deadly shooting of unarmed man

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Harris County grand jury has cleared a Houston police officer in a deadly shooting of an unarmed man.

Officer Juventino Castro shot and killed 26-year-old Jordan Baker last January.

"To hand over a decision like this, 48 hours before Christmas, is unconscionable," said activist Deric Muhammad. "It's as if they put a non-indictment in the box, put a bow on it and gave it to this mother to take home and said, Merry Christmas. That is the kind of system that we are dealing with here in Houston and Harris County."

Castro spotted Baker outside of a shopping center. Castro, who was in uniform working at an extra job, says Baker matched the description of a robbery suspect. He claims Baker charged towards him after he confronted Baker. Castro fired once, striking Baker, who was unarmed.

"What can I say," said Muhammad. "So much for justice and welcome to Ferguson, Texas."

"I want to express my deepest sympathies to Janet Baker and the entire Baker family," said Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson. "I know they are disappointed, but the grand jury's decision means they found that there was no probable cause to believe a crime was committed. It does not constitute an endorsement of the officer's actions."

Reporter Pooja Lodhia is following this breaking story. Stay with Eyewitness News and abc13.com for reaction to the grand jury's decision.

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