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Deputy Shot 15 Times In Petrol Station Killing

Deputy Shot 15 Times In Petrol Station Killing

A Texas deputy shot dead while fuelling his vehicle was struck 15 times, say prosecutors.

Harris County sheriff's deputy Darren Goforth, 47, was gunned down on Friday night at a petrol station in suburban Houston.

The suspected shooter, 30-year-old Shannon Miles, appeared in court on Monday.

During the brief hearing, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson told the judge Mr Goforth was shot 15 times.

She also said investigators found shell casings at the scene that matched a handgun found at Miles' home.

Miles, who is charged with capital murder, did not enter a plea on Monday.

A court-appointed defence attorney said Miles intends to plead not guilty.

He "indicated to the investigating officers that he was not involved in the case", attorney Anthony Osso said.

Miles was ordered to be held without bond..

Ms Anderson would not comment about a possible motive for the shooting.

Authorities said Miles approached the deputy from behind and opened fire. They said he continued shooting even after Mr Goforth fell to the ground.

Harris County Sheriff Ron Hickman pointed to anti-police rhetoric as a potential motive for the killing.

"We've heard black lives matter, all lives matter," Sheriff Hickman said. "Well, cops' lives matter, too.

"So why don't we just drop the qualifier and say, 'lives matter', and take that to the bank."

The hashtag #BlueLivesMatter was trending on Twitter at the weekend.

"It is time for the silent majority in this country to support law enforcement," Ms Anderson told reporters on Saturday.

"There are a few bad apples in any profession - that doesn't mean there should be open warfare declared on law enforcement."

Deray McKesson, a Black Lives Matter leader, denied the movement had encouraged hatred against police.

"It is unfortunate that Sheriff Hickman has chosen to politicise this tragedy and to attribute the officer's death to a movement that seeks to end violence," he told the Houston Chronicle.

Deputy Goforth, a married father of two, was a 10-year veteran of the force.