Houston woman says she killed man in self-defense

Shanequia McDonald, shown with activist Quanell X during a news conference on Tuesday, says she felt threatened by a man carrying a knife and sexually harassing her. Shanequia McDonald, shown with activist Quanell X during a news conference on Tuesday, says she felt threatened by a man carrying a knife and sexually harassing her. Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Photo: Mayra Beltran, Houston Chronicle Image 1 of / 3 Caption Close Houston woman says she killed man in self-defense 1 / 3 Back to Gallery

A south Houston woman said she was only protecting herself when she fatally shot a man at a service station.

"I didn't intend to hurt or harm anyone. I just went to the gas station to get gas," Shanequia McDonald said on Tuesday.

McDonald told Houston police she shot Lewis Daniel shortly after 7 p.m. Sunday at a Gulf station in the 6800 block of Cullen, between Griggs and the South Loop. The case will go to the Harris County grand jury to decide if any charges will be filed.

On Tuesday, McDonald was at the side of community activist Quanell X.

"She tried to walk away. What else was she supposed to do?" Quanell asked.

McDonald said she was pumping gas when Daniel, 58, approached her and began making sexual overtures.

"He's from around this area but personally, no, I don't know him," she said Tuesday.

McDonald said she told the man to leave her alone but he persisted, and then pulled out a knife.

"He kept jumping at me with that knife," McDonald said.

She told police that she grabbed a rifle from her car when the man continued to threaten her with the blade.

McDonald said she fired at the ground, hoping to scare the man off.

"She never intended to shoot directly at him," Quanell said. "She didn't know the bullet actually ricocheted and hit him."

McDonald then went home to tell her mother what happened. Only then was the Houston Police Department notified.

"She left for her own safety. She was afraid that some of those who were sitting with (Daniel) were going to harm her," Quanell said.

The activist said the shooting was a case where Texas' self-defense and stand your ground laws were justified.

Quanell has led recent marches in Houston to protest the not-guilty verdict a Florida jury returned in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, but said McDonald cannot be compared to the man acquitted of killing the 17-year-old Martin.

"George Zimmerman profiled Trayvon Martin. George Zimmerman stalked and pursued Trayvon Martin. George Zimmerman was armed (but) Trayvon Martin was not," Quanell said.

McDonald "was the victim of an assault. She was trying to get away," he said. "She got the weapon to defend herself."