A robbery suspect was shot and killed after attempting to hold up a Houston donut shop early Thursday morning. The store owner, legally armed, defended himself during the incident, and police are now reviewing surveillance footage and witness statements.

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HOUSTON, TX (3-minute read) — An attempted armed robbery at a Houston donut shop turned deadly early Thursday morning when the store owner fatally shot the suspect in an apparent act of self-defense.

The incident took place around 6:15 a.m. at Snowflake Donuts on Winkler Drive, just off the Gulf Freeway. According to Houston Police, the suspect—dressed in dark clothing and armed with a firearm—entered the store intending to commit a robbery. Moments later, the shop owner, who was also armed, shot the intruder.

When police arrived just after 6:20 a.m., they found the suspect dead inside the store. Officers recovered the suspect’s firearm and found the cash register open, suggesting an active robbery had been underway.

Self-Defense in Action: Armed Citizen Responds Quickly

“This is a busy place… people getting donuts or kolaches before they head to work or school,” noted HPD Detective Socrates Trujillo. “It could have ended very differently, where innocent civilians could have been shot and injured.”

While the case is still under investigation, authorities said the store owner is not facing charges at this time. As with most self-defense shootings, the case will be reviewed by a grand jury to determine whether the use of deadly force was legally justified.

Police have not yet released the identity of the suspect and are working to determine whether the individual may have been involved in other recent robberies. Surveillance video from Snowflake Donuts and nearby businesses is being reviewed, and investigators are interviewing witnesses who were present at the time of the shooting.

The store owner, though shaken, is reportedly cooperating with authorities and is said to be doing “as fine as he can be right now.”

Texas law generally supports the right of citizens to defend themselves, particularly when faced with an armed threat. Still, every defensive shooting undergoes legal scrutiny to ensure actions taken align with state laws.

Safety Tip: If you choose to carry a concealed firearm for self-defense, always know your local laws, train regularly, and be prepared to make split-second decisions under stress.