A Fort Worth man has been handed a 10-year prison sentence after admitting guilt to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This comes in response to his act of firing through the door of a residence, injuring an 82-year-old woman.
The victim, Graciela Flores, happens to be the mother of Fort Worth City Council member Carlos Flores. According to Carlos Flores, the bullet did not strike any critical organs. He dialed 911 immediately and provided care to his mother until law enforcement and medical assistance arrived on the scene.
The individual responsible, Jonathan R. Howard, aged 35, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Reed C. O’Connor on Monday. This information comes from a press release issued by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Texas.
The incident occurred when Howard discharged his weapon into the residence of the 82-year-old victim in north Fort Worth, hitting her in the chest at approximately 9:40 p.m. on February 23.
At the time of the officers’ arrival, Graciela Flores had already been transported to the hospital, according to the Justice Department’s report. The Department of Justice (DOJ) statement revealed that cartridge casings were discovered in Howard’s backyard, situated across the alley from the victim’s home.
Subsequent investigations led the authorities to search Howard’s residence and vehicle, where three firearms were found: a Jimenez Arms 9mm handgun, a Glock 9mm handgun, and a Taurus 9mm handgun.
Due to Howard’s previous convictions for multiple felonies, which include forgery in 2011 and the manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance in 2019, he was prohibited from possessing any firearms legally.
Additionally, Howard is confronting a state-level charge of aggravated assault in connection with the shooting. This charge is presently pending, and Howard has not entered a guilty plea. The forthcoming court date for the assault charge is not indicated in Tarrant County records.
According to the initial police report, Graciela Flores was inside her residence when she believed she heard noises outside the back door. Assuming the individual was a family member, she called out their name. Following this, a gunshot was heard through the door, and she experienced pain.
Observing blood, she realized she had been shot. Carlos Flores expressed his belief that his mother was hit by a stray bullet discharged from the backyard of the suspect’s residence.
