A deadly shooting in Galveston has taken a new turn as prosecutors dropped charges against an Uber driver who was initially accused of murder. The decision comes after authorities discovered that a faulty test used in the investigation led to incorrect conclusions.
What Happened?
The incident occurred on Friday, June 20, when a shooting took place at 36th Street and Avenue R in Galveston. Witnesses reported that the victim, Patrick Wright, and the ride-share driver were arguing just before gunshots were heard.
Wright was shot twice, and the ride-share driver was initially charged with his murder after a gunshot residue test showed positive results.
New Evidence Leads to Dropped Charges
Despite the initial test showing gunshot residue on the driver, Galveston Police soon found new video evidence that cast doubt on the driver’s involvement. Officials said that discrepancies in the gunshot residue tests were uncovered, leading them to backtrack on their earlier decision to charge the Uber driver.
The issue was linked to a batch of faulty gunshot residue test kits, which had been returning false positives. Galveston Police have since stopped using the batch of faulty test kits and are looking into other cases to ensure they weren’t affected by similar problems.
The Role of the Galveston County DA’s Office
The Galveston County District Attorney’s office clarified that the gunshot residue test was only a preliminary test, not a definitive factor in deciding whether charges should be filed.
According to their statement, the DA’s office relies more heavily on laboratory tests conducted by credentialed scientists at the DPS Crime Lab. In the Wright case, the DA’s office also considered eyewitness testimony and evidence from a smartphone tracking app before deciding to drop the charges.
Investigation Continues
Even though the charges against the Uber driver have been dropped, Galveston Police confirmed that the case is still under investigation. They are working to identify new leads and ensure that the circumstances surrounding the shooting are fully understood. While no new suspects have been named, police expect to provide further updates soon.
