KELLER -- The shoplifting suspect who was fatally shot by a Keller police officer last week at a Kohl's department store was described by neighbors as a "people person" and thoughtful handyman.
But Mark Anthony Brooks, 42, who lived in a modest neighborhood in far north Fort Worth, also had a lengthy criminal past.Brooks was fatally shot by Keller officer Johnathan Hicks during a struggle that ensued after Brooks lunged at the officer. Brooks had been caught shoplifting by in-house security officers, who called police.Keller police Lt. Brenda Slovak on Tuesday said detectives are still investigating the incident.Brooks lived in a house in the 4900 block of Happy Trail, south of Shiver Road and west of North Tarrant Parkway, less than two miles from the Kohl's on U.S. 377.Neighbor Marlo Marroquin said she thought it was out of character for Brooks to do any of the things he is accused of."He was so good-hearted, always willing to help. He was a people person. He would often volunteer to mow an elderly lady's lawn in our neighborhood," Marroquin said.Marroquin said Brooks lived with his mother, but she didn't know anything about his personal life."I still can't believe it was him," Marroquin said. "It is what it is, but to get shot four times? But I don't know the whole situation."The woman whose yard he mowed, Regina Baker, described Brooks as a "wonderful neighbor.""He was my handyman," Baker said, crying.Baker said on Oct. 24, Brooks had done some work for one of her friends."The day before this happened, she paid him $400," Baker said. "So he had no reason to be shoplifting."Records show that Brooks has been in trouble as far back as 1988, with numerous convictions in Florida on a variety of charges, from possession of cocaine to retail theft to burglary of a dwelling.He also had three felony convictions for driving under the influence in Florida. And he was convicted of misdemeanor theft in Fort Worth in 2010, records show.Keller Police Chief Mark Hafner said Hicks was dispatched to the store on U.S. 377 about 4 p.m.When Hicks tried to make an arrest, Brooks lunged at the officer, and a struggle ensued.Brooks tried to grab the officer's gun multiple times and was yelling threats, saying he was going to kill the officer, Hafner said.Police said Brooks was shot four times at close range. He was taken by helicopter ambulance to John Peter Smith Hospital in Fort Worth, where he died.Hicks, a 10-year veteran of the Keller Police Department, was treated at a hospital and released.The incident is the first time that a Keller police officer has fatally shot someone in the 57 years the city has been incorporated, officials said.Susan McFarland, 817-431-2231Twitter: @susanmcfarland1Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
