There is no Eboni Pouncy settlement. Pouncy’s federal civil rights lawsuit against the two Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies who shot her five times inside a friend’s apartment remains in active litigation in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, with discovery scheduled to close in July 2026 and a docket call set for November 2026.1CourtListener. Pouncy v. Ray, 4:25-cv-02556
Where the Case Stands Now
Pouncy filed Pouncy v. Ray (Case No. 4:25-cv-02556) on June 3, 2025, before Judge Kenneth M. Hoyt. She is represented by Ben Crump, Devon Jacob, and Aaron Dekle of Ben Crump Law.2Ben Crump Law. Pouncy v. Ray Federal Complaint
An amended complaint filed on August 14, 2025, added Eduardo Gonzalez as a defendant. On January 23, 2026, Judge Hoyt granted a motion to dismiss from Harris County and Gonzalez for failure to state a claim, terminating both as parties. The case continues against Deputies Christina Ray and Leslie Tovar.1CourtListener. Pouncy v. Ray, 4:25-cv-02556
In April 2026, Pouncy’s attorneys filed a motion to lift a stay, extend deadlines, and vacate a prior scheduling order. She designated her expert witnesses in May 2026. Discovery is set to close on July 31, 2026, dispositive motions are due August 20, 2026, and the docket call is scheduled for November 2, 2026.1CourtListener. Pouncy v. Ray, 4:25-cv-02556 No settlement has been reached or publicly announced.
What the Lawsuit Claims
The complaint was filed under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and initially carried two counts. Count I, Fourth Amendment excessive force, is asserted against Ray and Tovar individually and alleges they used objectively unreasonable deadly force without providing feasible warnings. Count II, a Monell claim against Harris County, alleged unconstitutional policies, training, and procedures on the use of deadly force and de-escalation. The Monell claim did not survive the January 2026 dismissal.2Ben Crump Law. Pouncy v. Ray Federal Complaint1CourtListener. Pouncy v. Ray, 4:25-cv-02556
Pouncy is seeking compensatory damages for physical injuries, permanent disability, emotional distress, and pain and suffering, along with punitive damages, a declaratory judgment that the defendants violated her constitutional rights, a formal written apology, and attorneys’ fees. She has demanded a jury trial.2Ben Crump Law. Pouncy v. Ray Federal Complaint
The Shooting Behind the Lawsuit
Around 1:30 a.m. on February 3, 2024, Pouncy and her friend Laronda Berry returned to Berry’s apartment at the Pines of Woodforest complex in the Cloverleaf area of Harris County. Locked out, they removed a window screen and broke a lower windowpane to get inside. A neighbor heard the glass break and alerted deputies who were already at the complex on a separate call.3KPRC. Federal Lawsuit Filed on Behalf of Woman Shot 5 Times by Harris County Deputies Inside Friend’s Apartment4Houston Public Media. Body Camera Footage Depicts Eboni Pouncy Mistaken for Intruder, Shot Five Times by Harris County Deputies
Deputies Ray and Tovar arrived around 2 a.m. Body camera footage shows them knocking, announcing “Sheriff’s office,” then stepping back to look through the broken window. Pouncy, asleep in a rear bedroom, said she heard knocking but did not hear the deputies identify themselves. She picked up a legally owned handgun and walked toward the front door. When a deputy saw her approaching with the gun, one shouted for her to drop it, and both deputies immediately opened fire through the window. Ben Crump said they fired at least 24 rounds, possibly as many as 30. Pouncy was struck five times, including twice in the chest. Berry was not injured.5ABC13. Eboni Pouncy Shot by Harris County Deputies After Being Mistaken for Intruder6Democracy Now. Excessive Force: Houston Police Shoot Eboni Pouncy
Pouncy’s injuries include nerve damage causing “drop foot,” a bullet still lodged in her right thigh because removal was deemed too dangerous, and bullet fragments remaining in her abdomen after surgery. The complaint describes weakness and numbness in both legs, peripheral neuropathy, and PTSD. She continues to receive medical treatment and therapy.2Ben Crump Law. Pouncy v. Ray Federal Complaint7Ben Crump Law. Attorney Ben Crump Releases Statement Regarding Eboni Pouncy Medical Updates
The Deputies’ Status
Both Ray and Tovar were placed on administrative leave after the shooting. As of June 2026, neither is employed by the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, according to department spokesperson Jason Spencer. The sheriff’s office has not publicly said whether they were fired, resigned, or retired, or whether their departure was connected to the Pouncy shooting.8Houston Public Media. Federal Lawsuit Filed Against Harris County Deputies Who Shot Woman Mistaken for Intruder
Criminal Investigations
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office opened an internal investigation through its Homicide Unit, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office launched a separate independent investigation, standard procedure for deputy-involved uses of deadly force. The sheriff’s office said the case would be presented to an independent grand jury.9CNN. Harris County Houston Sheriff Deputy Mistaken Shooting5ABC13. Eboni Pouncy Shot by Harris County Deputies After Being Mistaken for Intruder The available reporting does not indicate that any criminal charges have been filed against either deputy, and no public ruling on whether the shooting was justified has been reported.