Bystander paralyzed by stray bullet while using self-serve ice machine

2022-04-21 09:53:19 By : Ms. Tracy Lei

TEXARKANA, Texas -- A 33-year-old man paralyzed by a stray bullet last month while using a self-service ice machine has a wife and 6-month-old child, according to a GoFundMe accepting donations for the family.

Hugo Chavez was facing the ice machine around 6 p.m. Friday, March 25 in Oaklawn Shopping Center when he was struck by a round allegedly fired by Benjamin Jacobs, according to a probable cause affidavit. Jacobs, 26, has been charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury and deadly conduct in the shooting.

A second man, Latavion Quintae Larry, 21, is charged with deadly conduct. He allegedly fired shots in the busy parking lot in a confrontation with Jacobs.

When police arrived to the chaotic scene, they found Chavez suffering from a gunshot wound and immediately began life-saving measures. Chavez' wife was unable to provide much information at the time.

"Medical professionals advised that the entry wound to Chavez was on his right side. This information is consistent with Chavez's right side facing Jacobs' line of fire. The medical professionals advised that Chavez is paralyzed from the chest down from being shot," the affidavit states.

As of mid-afternoon Friday, the GoFundMe page showed donations to help with the family's expenses total $740.

Jacobs allegedly was inside Royal Cuts barber shop when he encountered Larry's younger brother. A witness reported that Jacobs threatened Larry's younger brother, who then called Larry for a ride. As the younger brother was walking out to get into Larry's white Mercury, Jacobs allegedly walked out and began firing shots.

Larry's car reportedly was struck at least four times.

Larry was arrested the day after the shooting.

Jacobs allegedly led police on a high-speed chase through Texarkana before being apprehended March 29. Numerous outstanding warrants for Jacobs were served at the time of his arrest. Among them were a felony warrant related to an alleged March 20 assault of a girlfriend involving a knife, and failing to appear on misdemeanor charges, including interference with an emergency call, possession of marijuana and evading arrest.

According to court records, Larry's two arrests in Bowie County are connected to Jacobs. In addition to the charge of deadly conduct related to the March 25 shooting at the shopping center, Larry is facing a charge of aggravated assault in the shooting of Jacobs in September 2021.

According to a probable cause affidavit in that case, Jacobs managed to drive himself to a hospital.

Both men are being held in the Bowie County jail with bails exceeding $1 million.

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