The Harris County District Attorney’s office has accepted charges against a 33-year-old man after an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Dec. 4, in the 5800 block of West 34th Street. Per an HPD news release the suspect, identified as Jacques Otu Bassey, was hospitalized after being struck by police gunfire and is facing multiple felony charges.
According to Houston Police Department investigators, patrol officers initially conducted a traffic stop in the 5000 block of Antoine Drive and learned Bassey was wanted on a felony warrant. When officers attempted to place him under arrest, Bassey allegedly fled in his vehicle, prompting a pursuit.
During the chase, police said Bassey fired a handgun toward officers, striking a marked patrol vehicle. No officers were injured. The vehicle pursuit continued toward the intersection of Antoine Drive and West 34th Street, where Bassey’s vehicle left the roadway and struck fixed objects. He then exited the disabled vehicle and fled on foot.
While searching the surrounding area, officers located the suspect in a parking lot in the 5800 block of West 34th Street. According to investigators, Bassey fired multiple times at an officer, who returned fire. A second responding officer also discharged a weapon toward the suspect, striking him at least once. Houston Fire Department paramedics transported Bassey to an area hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition and later reported to be in stable condition.
HPD Officers R. Kloeppel and M. Spinks, both assigned to the North Patrol Division, discharged their weapons in the incident. Neither officer was injured. Officer Kloeppel has been with HPD since January 2017, and Officer Spinks has served since September 2018, HPD official stated in the release.
Bassey has since been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer and evading arrest with a motor vehicle in the 178th Criminal District Court.
Prior Criminal History and Pending Cases
Court records show Bassey has a lengthy prior felony and misdemeanor history in Texas, California, and Nevada, including a 2005 aggravated assault with a deadly weapon conviction in Harris County, probation for a 2017 concealed-weapon conviction in Glendale, and dismissed assault cases in Los Angeles County and Las Vegas.
Records also indicate Bassey was already on bail in a separate multi-count felony case involving child sex-trafficking allegations, possession of child sexual abuse material, and related charges, as well as two unresolved theft cases involving elderly victims. Court documents state Bassey had failed to comply with prior bail conditions and had extradition history between California and Nevada.
According to motions filed in the 178th District Court, the offense involved a deadly weapon and “multiple aggravating factors,” including opening fire repeatedly at officers while evading arrest in a vehicle and having hostages in the car. Details about the alleged hostages, including identity or condition, were not available.
Investigation Underway
As is standard procedure in officer-involved shootings, the incident is under investigation by the HPD Homicide Division, HPD Internal Affairs Division, and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
No officers or bystanders were injured during the incident.
Bond for Bassey has been denied.