Inverness-born teenager Ben Mackie shot dead in Texas after trying to rob a man at gunpoint, Grand Jury rules
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The man who shot dead a teenager originally from Inverness was acting in self defence a jury has found.
Ben David Mackie (19) died after an incident at a house in Lake Jackson, Texas, on August 7.
He was rushed to hospital after being shot but later died from his injuries.
A grand jury has now ruled that he was lawfully killed in self-defence.
Mackie and his girlfriend, Victoria Mendoza, were ruled to have been committing "aggravated robbery", with Mackie reportedly armed with a handgun.
The 25-year-old victim, who has not been named, gunned Mackie down in self-defence and will not face charges.
As was revealed after the shooting, Mackie was on bail at the time of his death, in connection with drugs and weapons charges.
Mendoza was arrested on September 22 and charged with first degree felony aggravated robbery and third degree felony tampering with evidence.
A Lake Jackson Police Department statement said: "On the date of September 16, 2020 this case was presented to the Brazoria County Grand Jury.
"All evidence and testimony from witnesses and other involved parties was examined.
"It was the ruling of the Brazoria County Grand Jury that the identified 25-year-old male who fatally shot the victim, Ben Mackie, did so out of self-defense and no charges were pursued."
Lake Jackson police sergeant Roy Welch added: "The investigation showed that the victim, Ben Mackie and his reported girlfriend, Victoria Mendoza, conspired to orchestrate an aggravated robbery of the 25-year-old male that fatally shot Ben Mackie.
"The investigation revealed that during the commission of that aggravated robbery, Ben Mackie was armed with a handgun and placed the 25-year-old male in imminent fear of bodily injury or death.
"The investigation further revealed that the 25-year-old male was also armed with a handgun and responded to the threat by fatally shooting Ben Mackie.
"Subsequently, evidence showed that Victoria Mendoza actively participated in the aggravated robbery which resulted in the death of Ben Mackie, then intentionally hid/tampered with evidence from the crime scene."
Mackie moved from Inverness to Texas with his parents, Colin and Cindy, 11 years ago.
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