HOUSTON – The victim in a Friday road rage shooting in southwest Houston died overnight, while hours later, the suspect in that shooting made his first court appearance Monday morning.
Robert Craig Klimek, 43, of Houston, is facing a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, though his attorney is claiming it was self-defense.
Klimek had no comment for KHOU 11 News as he left the Harris County courtroom Monday morning.
Just moments earlier a judge went over bond supervision details after Klimek made $50,000 bond on the charge.
He's accused of shooting Zaid Abu Naim, 42, in the head after an argument over who had the right of way at Greenridge Drive and Fairdale Lane on Friday.
Kilmek told police he shot once in self-defense after he says Naim came up to his window began throwing punches. However, witnesses said the incident started when Klimek allegedly rolled down his window and yelled "Go back to Islam!"
Because of that statement, over the weekend, the Council on American-Islamic relations called for the incident to be investigated as a hate crime.
"I don't think it's a hate crime, but that's for the DA's office to decide whether or not they want to bring a charge like that," said Craig Seldin, Klimek's attorney, told KHOU exclusively outside the courtroom.
During the hearing, the judge said Klimek has no previous criminal history.
Jeff McShan, a spokesperson with the Harris County District Attorney's Office, told KHOU 11 News late Monday morning the DA' office is reviewing the case and more than likely will file murder charges following news of Naim's death.
