A 22-year-old Texas City man is facing felony charges after police say he shot a 37-year-old man along State Highway 146 on Saturday, leaving the victim in stable condition at a local hospital. Authorities identified the suspect as John Pierce and said he is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct by discharging a firearm. The shooting was reported around 5:20 p.m. in the 1100 block of State Highway 146, according to Texas City police.
Witness video and tips helped investigators
According to Texas City police, several bystanders recorded the incident and turned over their videos to investigators, giving detectives a crucial look at what unfolded on the highway. The department publicly thanked the "concerned citizens who provided information" that helped push the investigation forward.
Officers ultimately arrested Pierce, 22, and filed two felony counts: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and deadly conduct by discharging a firearm. Investigators are asking anyone who may have additional information to contact the TCPD Criminal Investigations Division at (409) 643-5720 or Crime Stoppers at (409) 845-8477, according to Click2Houston.
What the charges mean
Under Texas law, aggravated assault rises to a felony when an assault causes serious bodily injury or involves the use or display of a deadly weapon, according to Justia. Deadly conduct - which can include recklessly placing another person in imminent danger of serious bodily injury or knowingly firing a gun at or toward people or buildings - may be prosecuted as a third-degree felony under Section 22.05 of the Penal Code, per the state statutes. How prosecutors move forward, and what penalties Pierce could ultimately face, will depend on the facts of the case and any criminal history.
Investigation remains active
Texas City police say detectives are still poring over evidence, including witness videos, as the investigation remains active. Investigators again urged anyone with additional details to contact the Criminal Investigations Division or Crime Stoppers, and reiterated their thanks to the citizens whose tips helped lead to the arrest, as reported by Click2Houston.
