Grand jury declines charges against HPD officer in 2022 shooting death of Jalen Randle

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- A grand jury has declined to bring charges against a Houston police officer who was captured on body-cam footage shooting and killing a chase suspect in 2022.

ABC13 was the only station present when the grand jury made their decision, which the district attorney's office said took just moments.

In April 2022, Houston Police Officer Shane Privette attempted to arrest 29-year-old Jalen Randle, who was wanted for three felony warrants.

According to police, Randle exited the passenger side and reached back in the car. Police say he dropped a bag with a gun inside.

Body camera video released in 2022 showed Privette opening fire as soon as he told Randle to show his hands, then uttering a curse word after the shooting.

Privette's case was presented to a grand jury in April 2023, who decided not to take action. Prosecutors again presented the case to a new grand jury months later.

SEE ALSO: Case against HPD officer accused of fatally shooting Jalen Randle in 2022 goes before 2nd grand jury

On Wednesday, after the grand jury finished deliberating, assistant District Attorney Kimberly Clark walked out to deliver the news.

When ABC13 asked why they believed the grand jury decided to ultimately not indict the officer, Clark said. "It was a lot of factors. The nature of the incident occurring swiftly and rapidly and the behavior of the subject, Jalen Randle, exiting the vehicle and re-entering the vehicle."

Randle's mother and her family were also outside the courthouse and visibility upset and heated by the decision.

"They didn't do their best. Their best was not good enough," Tiffany Rachal said. "They should have done what they should have done: Stop covering up for the police."

In 2017, Privette was indicted by a grand jury in a separate case for use of force, but the charges were ultimately dropped. Randle's family believes he's a danger to the community.

"Everyone who looks at this video knows it wasn't right," Rachal said.

All officer-involved shootings must go to a grand jury. The assistant district attorney said they took all the evidence they had, presented it to the grand jury, and respected their decision.

The Houston Police Union, representing Privette, said the officer was fearing for his life when he noticed Randle reach back in his car and pick up the object that later turned out to be a bag with a gun.

The Harris County District Attorney's Office also released the following statement regarding this action.

A Harris County grand jury on Wednesday declined charges against Houston police officer Shane Privette in the April 2022 fatal shooting of Jalen Randle.


It is the policy of the Harris County District Attorney's Office to present all officer-involved shootings to a grand jury to determine whether probable cause exists to support criminal charges. Harris County grand juries are composed of 12 randomly selected county residents who hear all available evidence in a case, including witnesses.

If nine or more grand jurors agree that probable cause exists, they issue a "true bill," or indictment, and the case continues on through the criminal justice system.

If nine or more grand jurors determine probable cause does not exist, they may issue a "no bill." In some instances, a grand jury may take no action, meaning the case is unresolved and is presented anew to a subsequent grand jury.

This process ensures that all such cases are subject to community review at the grand jury and, if necessary, trial level.
Our office respects the decision of the grand jury in this and every case.

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