In a shocking incident that unfolded on a Friday morning, Bryan Arceo, with his own 11-year-old daughter in his car, discharged a firearm while en route to school.
Authorities in Texas have charged Arceo with three counts of aggravated assault after he allegedly shot at a family van, injuring a 10-year-old girl who was also on her way to school. The confrontation began when the girl’s mother honked at Arceo as he reversed into her path, according to a KSAT report.
The affidavit detailing the incident reveals that Arceo retaliated by abruptly stopping in front of the van, which was occupied by the girl’s father as well. He then drew alongside their vehicle at a traffic light, brandishing a firearm.
Attempting to evade the threat, the mother made a quick turn and accelerated, only to hear a sudden “pop.” The father detected the smell of gunpowder, and their daughter, seated in the back, informed them that she had been shot.
Despite the mother’s attempt to escape, Arceo executed an unlawful right turn from a left-turn-only lane and trailed them for several blocks, as reported by police via KENS. Eventually, he halted, exited his vehicle, and waved his gun while standing in the street, prompting the family to maneuver around him and escape the scene.
The mom turned right and sped up, but Arceo made an illegal right turn from the left-turn only lane and followed them for several blocks, police said, according to KENS. He later stopped and got out, holding up his gun and standing in the roadway. The victims drove around him and fled.
Surveillance footage shows Arceo dropping off his own child at a nearby school shortly afterward.
Police interviewed Arceo’s ex-wife, who was reportedly also in his vehicle, and she said she saw Arceo take out his handgun, rack it, and point it at the victims’ vehicle. Then, she said, she heard a gunshot.
The 10-year-old victim was rushed into surgery with life-threatening injuries but is expected to survive.
Arceo, meanwhile, was charged with three counts of aggravated assault and and one count of endangering children. He was given a $375,000 bond and is due on court again in April.
