Jury: Hays County deputy justified in man’s fatal shooting

A Hays County deputy's actions were justified when he fatally shot a man who allegedly came at him with a knife in November, a grand jury concluded.

The decision not to indict follows a Texas Rangers investigation into the shooting of John Samuel File, 28, by Deputy Mohmmad Zaqzouq in the Belterra neighborhood in northern Hays County between Dripping Springs and Austin, according to a news release from the sheriff 's office.

“After hearing the evidence, the grand jury determined that the conduct of the deputies was justified under the law and voted not to indict,” Hays County District Attorney Kelly Higgins said.

On Nov. 5, two deputies from the sheriff 's office responded to an address in the 100 block of Victoria Court. According to the release, the deputies were investigating a report an intoxicated driver had crashed a vehicle and threatened a tow truck driver a few blocks away.

The body cameras of both deputies recorded the shooting and the events leading up to it, the release said.

While speaking with the owner of the crashed car — File's grandmother, who was in the front yard of the residence — the deputies heard a woman screaming inside the home. Zaqzouq approached the front door in response, and the grandmother said, “He's got a knife,” according to the release.

Upon opening the door, Zaqzouq encountered File, who was leaving the house and moving toward the deputy with a large knife in his right hand, according to the release.

While retreating away from the door and off the porch, Zaqzouq repeatedly shouted for File to show his hands, but despite multiple commands, File continued moving toward the deputy with the knife, according to the news release.

Zaqzouq then fired his weapon, striking File three times, according to the release, and File died at the scene. One bullet struck File's grandmother in the arm.

The Texas Rangers investigated the shooting, and the results were presented to the grand jury.