Deputies with Harris County Constable Precinct 4 rushed to the 24000 block of Jumping Jay Drive Wednesday after reports of gunshots, arriving to find several people allegedly firing weapons near an overnight truck storage lot. Three men were taken into custody at the scene, accused of recklessly shooting firearms while drinking alcohol in an area surrounded by homes and businesses.
According to a Facebook post from Constable Mark Herman's office, deputies responded to the reports of gunfire on Wednesday and observed the group discharging weapons near the lot. Jaime Vega, John Espinosa-Viasus, and Juan Duque were detained and later booked into the Harris County Jail, the post says.
Texas constables’ offices have duties beyond patrol: state law directs constables to execute warrants and other legal process and allows them to serve civil process. Mark Herman was appointed to lead Precinct 4 in May 2015 and elected that November, according to the office’s history. The statutory duties help explain why a constable’s office handles both law-enforcement calls and court-related work.
The post states that all three had been drinking before the shooting and that their actions put nearby residents and businesses at risk. Each man was charged with deadly conduct for discharging a firearm, per the constable's office.
Texas law draws a distinction between two forms of deadly conduct: reckless conduct that places someone in imminent danger of serious bodily injury is generally a Class A misdemeanor, while knowingly firing at or toward a person, building or vehicle under specified circumstances is a third-degree felony. The constable’s announcement identifies the charge as “Deadly Conduct – Discharge of a Firearm” but does not specify the subsection, so the precise statutory allegation is unclear. The Texas Penal Code sets out both provisions.
Bonds Set
Bond was set at $25,000 each for Vega and Espinosa-Viasus, while Duque's bond was set at $30,000, the post states. The defendants were identified as Jaime Vega, John Espinosa-Viasus, and Juan Duque.
Constable Herman credited his deputies' fast response with getting the suspects into custody before anyone was seriously hurt. The men were accused of recklessly discharging firearms while consuming alcohol.
What Happens Next
The constable's office has not released additional details about what prompted the gunfire or how the confrontation unfolded before deputies arrived. As with any pending criminal matter, all three men are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, the post notes. No further case information, including hearing dates, was available.
