Family holds vigil for shoplifting suspect killed by HCSO deputy at Dollar General

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Family members of a shoplifting suspect, who was shot to death while pinned down by a Harris County sheriff's deputy last year, are set to gather Saturday night at a candlelight vigil in his honor.

July 8 marks one year since the death of Roderick Brooks.

Body camera video was released of the shooting that happened at a gas station off FM 1960 last summer.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office said it all started when they responded to a shoplifting and assault call at a Dollar General. The body camera footage shows Sgt. Garrett Hardin spot a man matching Brooks' description. Brooks can be seen running while Hardin goes after him.

The video shows the deputy pin Brooks down after a struggle while Brooks is holding the deputy's stun gun. Hardin can be heard telling him to put it down. Then one shot is fired, killing Brooks.

RELATED: Family of man killed by HCSO deputy say released body camera footage does not show full story

Hardin's attorney told ABC13 that the deputy was well within his rights and will be exonerated, saying he did what was necessary for his safety and that of others.

Brooks' family claims the body camera video released by the sheriff's office was heavily redacted to try to make the shooting seem justified.

Last September, his family filed a civil rights lawsuit. A year later, the family is still pushing for justice and feels strongly that the shooting shouldn't have happened.

"We're going to get justice for Roderick. It's going to take a minute. Here in Houston, we have to deal with this," Brooks' sister told ABC13 last year.

At 8 p.m., Brooks' family will gather near where the shooting happened to honor him and continue their push for justice and charges to be brought on the deputy.

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