Repeat offender receives lengthy prison term for shooting Houston police officers

A Seabrook resident has been sentenced to two 75-year prison terms for shooting at two Houston police officers during a traffic stop in 2022, resulting in permanent injuries to one of the officers. Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the sentencing on Thursday.

“This defendant opened fire on two police officers during a midday traffic stop,” said Ogg. “He has repeatedly shown that he cannot be trusted and that our community will be safer if he is behind bars — hopefully for the rest of his life.”

The offender, Jimmy Caston Bryan, aged 25, admitted guilt to two charges of aggravated assault against public servants after firing at the officers who stopped him near 14300 Gulf Freeway on May 4, 2022.

At the time of the incident, Bryan was out on bond and wearing an ankle monitor due to prior charges related to crystal methamphetamine possession. The traffic stop occurred because he was driving at 70 mph in a zone restricted to 45 mph.

During the stop, when asked for his driver’s license by one officer who approached his vehicle, Bryan appeared unfocused and panicked. After ignoring multiple requests to exit his truck, Bryan responded with reluctance before eventually unbuckling his seatbelt. As an officer opened the driver’s side door, Bryan drew a semiautomatic handgun and fired at them, hitting one officer in the chest and hip.

Both officers returned fire, injuring Bryan before arresting him. The injured officer sustained a broken pelvis and will require a cane permanently; a metal flashlight clipped to his vest deflected one bullet.

A search of Bryan's truck revealed drugs including methamphetamine, heroin, cocaine, ecstasy along with a digital scale and additional firearms.

State District Judge Aaron Burdette handed down Bryan's sentences for each charge. Assistant District Attorney Mary McFaden led the prosecution with ADA Gabriel Kabak.

“We’re happy that we were able to get justice for these two officers,” McFaden stated. “This is important because the men and women in law enforcement need to know that we stand side by side with them when they are out on the street working to keep us all safe.”

Kabak highlighted Bryan's extensive criminal history and noted further misconduct while in jail. “He’s been wreaking havoc on the state of Texas for almost a decade," Kabak remarked. "And not only will this sentence protect the community and the police from a dangerous man, it’s important that people realize that a split-second decision to start shooting can ruin a lot of people’s lives.”

Bryan must serve half of his sentences before being eligible for parole; both sentences will run concurrently.