Horrific moment: 36-year-old inmate Joshua Wright is shot dead after attacking a police officer and escaping from a Texas hospital

By Miriam Küpper

13:37 02 July 2024, updated 14:00 02 July 2024

This is the horrific moment an inmate is shot dead in a Texas hospital after attacking a police officer and escaping.

Recently released footage shows Joshua Wright, 36, attacking a correctional officer in an attempt to escape at Seton Hospital in Kyle, Texas, on December 12, 2022, while undergoing unspecified treatment.

Wright, who was in prison for a number of offenses, is seen pushing the officer back before running down a corridor in the emergency room.

The correctional officer, identified as 29-year-old Isaiah Garcia, fired his weapon and struck Wright after the inmate apparently bent down to pick up an unidentified object, according to the Hays County Sheriff’s Office.

Wright died from his injuries. A homicide charge against Garcia was dropped last month, and the sheriff’s office has now released video footage of the incident – more than a year and a half after Wright’s death.

Wright was in prison for misdemeanors including unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, jumping bail, reckless driving, criminal damage to property and evading arrest.

Last month, Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins announced that her office had dropped charges against former correctional officer Garcia for third-degree felony murder.

In a press release, the Hays County District Attorney’s Office stated: “On December 12, 2022, Garcia shot and killed 36-year-old Joshua Wright while working as a correctional officer for Hays County.”

“Wright was in the Hays County Jail and had been taken to Seton Hays Hospital in Kyle the previous evening after complaining of a health problem.

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“Garcia was assigned to guard Wright at the hospital and was preparing to transport Wright back to prison when the shooting occurred.”

“As Wright was exiting a restroom, Garcia attempted to re-place Wright’s handcuffs, which had been removed.

“Wright violently shoved Garcia and attempted to escape by running through the emergency room toward the public exit. Garcia shot Wright during this escape attempt.”

Prosecutors said the grand jury will consider possible murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the shooting in April 2023.

“Under Texas law, a correctional officer or peace officer may be authorized to use force, including deadly force, if he or she reasonably believes it is immediately necessary to prevent the escape of an incarcerated person,” the office said in a press release.

After hearing the evidence and the relevant laws, the grand jury declined to indict in either case.

However, the court charged Garcia with third-degree manslaughter.

The indictment states that Garcia discharged a firearm at one or more persons by shooting Joshua Wright in a medical facility in the presence of patients and staff.

While the indictment does not accuse Garcia of any crime directly related to Wright’s death, it does accuse him of deadly conduct due to the circumstances under which he fired his weapon in a crowded emergency room.

The prosecution had shown Wright’s family the now released bodycam footage.

Higgins said, “We recognize that the Wright family and many in the community were deeply disappointed by the grand jury’s decision not to indict Garcia for murder or manslaughter.”

“The wishes of a victim or a victim’s family are always taken into account, but other factors such as public safety and basic fairness must also be considered.”

Weighing these factors, the state moved to dismiss the case against Isaiah Garcia last week, and the court dismissed the case.

Prior to his release, Garcia had agreed to permanently surrender his correctional officer license and also agreed not to seek a license or certification to work as a peace officer, correctional officer or armed security officer in the future.

Higgins said the Wright family also requested that the lawsuit be dropped after consulting with their legal representatives and reviewing the bodycam footage.

“The reasons given by the family for their application were carefully considered and ultimately found to be compelling,” Higgins said.

“We have chosen to respect the family’s privacy and will not discuss these reasons further. We encourage others to respect their privacy as well.”