Margarita "Maggie" Brooks, a 30-year-old woman from Arlington, Texas, tragically died on August 1, 2019. Brooks was a mother of three and was often seen walking with her boyfriend and her dog, a lab mix. On the day of her death, she was waiting for her boyfriend in a grassy area behind a shopping center when she was approached by former Arlington police officer Ravinder Singh.
Singh was responding to a welfare check call about a woman passed out in the area.
As Singh approached Brooks, her dog began to bark and charge at him. In response, Singh retreated while drawing his firearm and fired multiple shots towards the dog. Unfortunately, one of the bullets ricocheted and struck Brooks in the chest, leading to her death. Brooks was hospitalized but later succumbed to her injuries.
Following the incident, Singh resigned from the Arlington Police Department in November 2019. In September 2020, a Tarrant County grand jury indicted Singh on a charge of criminally negligent homicide. Singh faced up to two years in state jail or a fine of up to $10,000. Brooks' family also filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Singh in July 2021, seeking $2 million in damages.
In August 2022, a Tarrant County jury found Singh not guilty of criminally negligent homicide. The jury's decision was controversial, with Brooks' father expressing disbelief and frustration over the outcome. Singh maintained that the shooting was a tragic accident and that he never intended to harm Brooks.
The case drew significant attention and raised questions about police training and the use of force. Despite the not guilty verdict, the incident left a lasting impact on Brooks' family and the community.
