In a shocking incident in Houston, a woman was shot multiple times by sheriff's deputies who responded to a report of a break-in at her friend's apartment. The incident occurred on February 3, when Eboni Pouncy and her friend had to smash a window to gain entry into the apartment after forgetting the house key. The women were startled when deputies began pounding on the door in the early hours of the morning. Fearing an intruder, Pouncy picked up her legally registered firearm and was subsequently struck by five bullets.

The Harris County Sheriff's Office released body camera footage of the incident, showing two female deputies climbing the apartment staircase and knocking on the front door before retreating a few feet away. One of the deputies shouted that she saw someone coming, and both deputies began firing repeatedly through the glass windows. They reloaded their guns and continued to fire several times. The footage also revealed that a handgun was later recovered inside the apartment near the entrance.

Eboni Pouncy was immediately taken to the hospital for treatment, and while the extent of her injuries was not specified, her attorney Ben Crump stated that she was recovering. Crump, a renowned civil rights lawyer, condemned the incident, stating that it should have never happened. He argued that the body camera footage demonstrated unnecessary and excessive force being used against his client. Crump also drew comparisons to the shooting of Breonna Taylor in 2020, emphasizing the need for accountability and justice.

According to the Harris County Sheriff's Office, the deputies responded to a report of an intruder at an apartment on the city's east side but found no one inside. However, a resident of a neighboring apartment informed the deputies that someone had broken into another second-floor apartment. The sheriff's office stated that they discovered a broken window screen, shattered glass, and raised blinds near the front door of the apartment they were investigating.

The shooting remains under investigation by the sheriff's office homicide unit, as well as the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the sheriff's office internal affairs unit. The two deputies involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigations.

This incident has once again raised concerns about police use of force and the need for better training and protocols to prevent such tragedies. The community is demanding accountability and justice for Eboni Pouncy, as her lawyer continues to advocate for her rights and push for a thorough investigation into the incident.