FORT WORTH, TEXAS — Tarrant County prosecutors have dropped a murder charge against 29-year-old Markynn West, who was initially accused of fatally shooting Chin “Jin” Shin in Fort Worth in August.
According to the District Attorney’s office, evidence demonstrated that West acted in self-defense.
West’s attorney, Lesa Pamplin, argued that her client saved lives during the incident and should be considered a hero rather than a villain, according to The Dallas Morning News.
The case stemmed from a minor traffic accident in Fort Worth, which escalated when Shin retrieved a handgun and pointed it at those present.
In response, West fired his weapon at Shin, resulting in his death. Although a grand jury declined to indict three other men on murder charges, two of them now face less severe charges.
Pamplin expressed gratitude to District Attorney Phil Sorrells and his office for dropping the charge against West.
She revealed that her client will be speaking out about the impact of the murder accusation on his life, noting that it has been a “trying time” for West and his family.