HOUSTON — A convicted drug trafficker has been sentenced after pleading guilty to shooting at Houston police officers during a 2022 traffic stop.
Jimmy Caston Bryan, 25, was given two 75-year concurrent sentences for aggravated assault against a public service.
In May 2022, HPD officers J. Sallee and M.L McMurtry pulled Bryan over for a traffic stop in the 14300 block of the Gulf Freeway at Astoria Boulevard. Police later revealed the traffic stop was part of a narcotics investigation.
The officers asked Bryan to get out of the truck and as one of the officers opened Bryan's door, Bryan grabbed his gun and started shooting.
The officers shot back at Bryan, hitting him, but not before Sallee was shot twice -- once in the chest and once in the right hip. Bryan ended up in critical condition.
In court Wednesday, both Bryan and now former officer Sallee testified in front of a judge.
Bryan stated that he was apologetic and thankful that officers tended to him after he was shot. However, Salle told reporters that he did not believe Bryan was truly remorseful.
“Absolutely not. He is a con artist, he’s a con,” Salle said. “As quick as he could, he would kill somebody, and tried killing me and my partner.”
Sallee, who now walks with a cane, said his life was forever changed by the shooting but he was ultimately at peace. Due to his injuries, he is no longer able to serve as an HPD officer.
“It’s a bitter pill to swallow, for sure, my family is law enforcement. But it’s been a long time since I’ve had peace, and peace was given today with that verdict,” he said. “This verdict means Harris County and the DA’s office and law enforcement are working hand in hand to get justice served.”
After sentencing, prosecutors said they were satisfied with the punishment handed down.
“You can never restore the victims of this offense, but we hope that there’s a modicum of justice with the sentence that was handed down today," said Mary McFaden, Chief of Domestic Violence Division Harris County DA’s Office.
Bryan was previously sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for trafficking meth and a firearms charge.