HOUSTON â Four years after shooting death of Harris County Precinct 4 Deputy Kareem Atkins, a verdict has been reached.
Eddie Alberto Miller was found guilty of capital murder for killing Atkins and injuring two other deputies, Darrell Garrett and Juqaim Barthen, outside a north Houston bar in October 2021.
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Authorities called the shooting, which happened on Oct. 16, 2021, an âambush attack.â
It was an early Saturday morning when Atkins and fellow Precinct 4 deputies Juqaim Barthen and Darrell Garret were working an extra shift at 45 Norte Bar and Lounge.
At about 2:12 a.m., Atkins and Garrett responded to a report of a robbery outside the bar. As they were attempting to arrest a robbery suspect, a man with an AR-15 rifle ambushed the pair, striking both deputies. According to court documents, deputies were arresting an associate of Millerâs when he allegedly opened fire.
Upon hearing the gunshots, Barthen rushed outside to aid his fellow deputies and was also shot, the Harris County Precinct 4 Constableâs Office said.
Atkins died from his injuries, leaving behind a wife and 2-month-old child.
He was 30 years old and had recently returned from paternity leave.
Atkins joined the Harris County Precinct 4 Constableâs Office in January 2019. He, Barthen, and Garrett were best friends who were described as âbrothersâ who shared an unbreakable bond. Atkinsâ father was also a deputy.
His death sent shock waves through the community, with those who knew him calling him a loving co-worker, mentor, friend, son, and father. His funeral was filled with emotional tributes from those he knew.
During Millerâs initial arrest, they used Deputy Atkinsâ handcuffs, calling the arrest âa move to justice.â
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