An armed robber was shot dead by a customer at a Texas taqueria, who then proceeded to return the stolen goods back to the other patrons.

The incident took place on Thursday (January 5) at The Ranchito #4 taqueria in southwest Houston and surveillance cameras captured the entire thing, per ABC News.

The footage shows the gunman entering the establishment wielding a handgun and pointing it at customers who begin to hand over their possessions, which was further confirmed by a police news release.

The gunman was wearing a black ski mask, all-black clothing as well as gloves to hide his identity while he committed the alleged robbery.

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As the armed robber makes his way around the restaurant, one patron waits for his moment, and when the assailant turns his back, the customer pulls out a concealed weapon and fires multiple shots.

As ABC reports, a total of nine shots can be heard in the video, one of which the customer fired at point-blank range while standing over the already fatally wounded robber.

Other customers are reportedly seen ducking under tables as the shots are fired, but nobody else was injured in the incident.

The armed patron is then seen giving the other customers their belongings back before they all flee the restaurant, leaving the robber on the floor who was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

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The shooting took place at around 11:30 PM on Thursday, while 10 customers were dining inside the taqueria, according to the Houston Police Department.

They added in a statement: "Witnesses told officers the suspect entered the restaurant and pointed a pistol at patrons as he demanded their money. As the suspect collected money from patrons, one of the patrons, described as a white or Hispanic male, produced a gun of his own and shot the suspect multiple times.

"The shooter collected the stolen money from the suspect and returned the money to other patrons. He and other patrons (victims) then fled the scene."

The footage is then said to show the man picking up the gun the robber had held before throwing it against the wall.

Officials released images of the customer and the vehicle he was driving that night in a bid to speak to the man about the events that unfolded, and he showed up for questioning on Monday (January 9).

The 46-year-old customer was interviewed by Houston police who gave this statement via ABC: "After consulting with the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, it was determined the shooting will be referred to a grand jury. Since the male is not arrested or charged, his identity is not being released."

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KPRC reported that the weapon used by the armed robber, who has been identified as 30-year-old Eric Eugene Washington, is believed to have been a "plastic gun" similar to a BB gun, unable to do serious harm to those around him.

The case has been referred to a grand jury by The Harris County District Attorney to see if the 46-year-old will be prosecuted for the death of the robber.

Featured image credit: Fred Icke / EyeEm / Alamy

Customer fatally shoots masked robber at restaurant and returns money to diners