A McLennan County grand jury has cleared a Mart, Texas man of any criminal charges in the shooting death of another man during a May altercation. Merlin Gonzalez claimed self-defense in the fatal incident, and after review, the jury issued a no-bill decision.

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MART, TX (2-minute read) — A Mart man accused of fatally shooting another during a tense altercation earlier this year has been cleared of all criminal charges, following a decision by a McLennan County grand jury. The panel issued a “no-bill” last week for 40-year-old Merlin Gonzalez, meaning they found insufficient evidence to indict him for the shooting death of 47-year-old Tarance LaRod Sharp.

The incident took place around 11:30 p.m. on May 19 in the 100 block of South Commerce Street in Mart. When police arrived, they found Sharp on the ground with a gunshot wound to the chest and an exit wound in his back. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Gonzalez was nearby, reportedly talking on the phone when officers arrived. A 9mm pistol in a holster was found about 15 feet from Sharp’s body.

According to arrest records, Gonzalez claimed Sharp had pulled a knife on him, prompting him to use his firearm in self-defense. A witness reported that Sharp was walking west on East Limestone Avenue after a verbal altercation involving Gonzalez near South Pearl. The witness said he lost sight of Gonzalez and heard a gunshot roughly three minutes later.

Although initial investigative reports suggested Gonzalez may have followed Sharp after their dispute, the grand jury ultimately decided not to pursue charges, leading to Gonzalez’s release from the McLennan County Jail. He had been held there since the shooting on a $500,000 bond tied to a murder charge.

Legal Self-Defense and Firearm Use in Texas

Under Texas law, a person is allowed to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is immediately necessary to protect themselves against another’s unlawful use of deadly force. This includes situations involving a knife or other life-threatening weapons. However, whether the force used is justified often comes down to the specific facts of the encounter, such as who initiated the conflict, whether the threat was immediate, and if there was a duty to retreat under the circumstances.

In Gonzalez’s case, the grand jury appears to have agreed that the use of his firearm was justified given the perceived threat to his life.

Safety Tip: Always understand your state’s self-defense and concealed carry laws. Knowing when and how you’re legally allowed to use force can make all the difference in life-or-death situations, and in the courtroom.