PORT ARTHUR, Texas — A Port Arthur man accused of shooting a woman in the face is out on bail after surrendering to authorities at the Jefferson County Jail.
John Fitzgerald Rice, 56, is charged with aggravated assault. He checked into the Jefferson County Jail Wednesday and later bailed out on a $150,000 bond. His bond was pre-arranged.
Shaquitta Hill, 31, accused Rice of shooting her in the face on March 1. She said she was trying to defuse a fight outside her neighbor’s house when a man pulled out a gun and shot her.
The victim's mother, Angela Hill, previously told 12News the bullet was “Inches away from her brain, her eye socket."
Shaquitta Hill also told 12News that shooting impacts her everyday life.
“I've just been traumatized by it,” Shaquitta Hill said in a 12News file story. “I can't sleep. When I work, if somebody drops something, it scares me. I try to go home because I need to be somewhere where I feel safe.”
Port Arthur Police said the case was at the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office for two weeks before it was presented before a grand jury.
Jefferson County District Attorney Bob Wortham cited the pandemic and the lack of available juries as the reasons for creating a backlog in the judicial system.
CRIME STOPPERS | Submit a tip @ 833Tips.com
If you have information about a crime you could earn a cash reward of up to $1000 by providing an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers of Southeast Texas.
Call 833-TIPS (8477) or download the P3Tips App on your mobile device to submit your tip anonymously.
This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
CRIME STOPPERS APP | Download the P3 Tips App
GET NEWS & WEATHER ALERTS | Download the 12News App to your mobile device