HOUSTON — A man has been charged with murder after being accused of helping stage a robbery at a gas station in January.
The man has been identified as William Winfrey, court records revealed. His partner, who played a fake robber, was shot and killed by a bystander who thought he was witnessing a real robbery.
What happened
This happened just after midnight on Jan. 27 at a gas station on Ella Boulevard at Greens Parkway.
Surveillance video captured the incident that showed someone appearing to pistol-whip a man who was pumping gas at a gas station. Court records identified that someone as Rashauud Scott, 22.
The surveillance video then shows a bystander appearing to step in and shoot Scott, who was running away. After the shooting, the bystander is seen going over to the robbery victim before getting back in his car and taking off.
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According to court records, Scott's wife told police this wasn't supposed to happen. She reportedly admitted that this was all a scheme.
Court documents said Scott and Winfrey had been committing fake robberies for over a year. When Winfrey was arrested, he told police that he would pay Scott for his involvement in the robberies.
A court document said the apparent victims of aggravated robberies could use their statuses as victims in order to apply for a "U visa," which according to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is set aside for victims of certain crimes who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are helpful to law enforcement or government officials in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.
Immigration attorney Gordon Quan said frauds like this have happened in the past.
"Various police departments will take these complaints, but they want to make sure it's legitimate as well," Quan said. "But I have heard of stories, just as you’ve reported, that some people have been unscrupulous and fabricated these robberies."
Court documents said Winfrey gave Scott an airsoft gun to use in the staged robbery.
The bystander who shot Scott drove away from the scene but later turned himself in.
According to Houston police, the suspected shooter was brought in for questioning but was released.
The investigation is ongoing.