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Holidays! Covering the Heights, Garden Oaks, Oak Forest & the neighborhoods of North Houston Saturday, December 13, 2025 • Vol. 70 • No. 50

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Suspect charged in officer-involved shooting on West 34th Street STAFF REPORTS The Harris County District Attorney’s office has accepted charges against a 33-year-old man after an officer-involved shooting that occurred on Dec. 4, in the 5800 block of West 34th Street. Per an HPD news release the suspect, identified as Jacques Otu Bassey, was hospitalized after being struck by police gunfire and is facing multiple felony charges. According to Houston Police Department investiga-

tors, patrol officers initially conducted a traffic stop in the 5000 block of Antoine Drive and learned Bassey was wanted on a felony warrant. When officers attempted to place him under arrest, Bassey allegedly fled in his vehicle, prompting a pursuit. During the chase, police said Bassey fired a handgun toward officers, striking a marked patrol vehicle. No officers were injured. The vehicle pursuit continued toward the intersection of Antoine Drive and West 34th Street,

where Bassey’s vehicle left the roadway and struck fixed objects. He then exited the disabled vehicle and fled on foot. While searching the surrounding area, officers located the suspect in a parking lot in the 5800 block of West 34th Street. According to investigators, Bassey fired multiple times at an officer, who returned fire. A second responding officer also discharged a weapon toward the suspect, striking him at least once. Houston

Fire Department paramedics transported Bassey to an area hospital, where he was initially listed in critical condition and later reported to be in stable condition. HPD Officers R. Kloeppel and M. Spinks, both assigned to the North Patrol Division, discharged their weapons in the incident. Neither officer was injured. Officer Kloeppel has been with HPD since January 2017, and Officer Spinks has served since September 2018, HPD official stated in the release.

Holiday Drive-Thru Meal Saturday, December 13th

10 a.m.– 1H-E-B p.m. hosts This Saturday: Yellow lot AnnualNRG, Feast of Sharing 9051 Main Street Houston, TX 77054

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Learn more about your Feast of Sharing dinner at heb.com/feast

Coming to a Table Near You: Area restaurants serve cheer by the plate Photo by Stephanie Shirley

Moon Gallery opened at Heights Church on Dec. 4.

Moon Gallery debuts at Heights Church, showcasing local HCU artists

Pet of the Week: Meet Lettie, the survivor

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See SUSPECT P. 2

By STEFANIE THOMAS editor@theleadernews.com

Please stop by to pick up H-E-B meals for your family and a few other surprises! (while supplies last)

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Court records show Bassey has a lengthy prior felony and misdemeanor history in Texas, California, and Nevada, including a 2005 aggravated assault with a

at Yale; design proposals now open

Serving Holiday Memories One Plate at a Time.

Save the Date: See what’s happening in the neighborhood and around town

Prior Criminal History and Pending Cases

New MKT Heights CELEBRATE ART, COMMUNITY Hike and Bike Trail & CREATIVE COLLABORATION trailhead planned

You’re invited to the

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Bassey has since been charged with two counts of attempted capital murder of a police officer and evading arrest with a motor vehicle in the 178th Criminal District Court.

By STEPHANIE SHIRLEY The Leader News Contributor A Heights community icon and longtime benefactor, Howard D. Moon, received another meaningful tribute on Dec. 4 with the official dedication of the Moon Gallery — a vibrant new space designed to spotlight local artists and enrich the neighborhood’s cultural landscape. Moon partnered with Houston Christian University (HCU) and Heights Church to create a gallery that gives emerging talent a place to share their vision with the community. The expansive exhibition space, located inside Heights Church (formerly Baptist Temple), feels especially fitting; Moon’s late wife, Jeanette, was a passionate supporter of the arts, and the new space honors her love for creativity and community. “She was born in Baptist Temple,

The partnership between HCU (formerly Houston Baptist University) and Heights Church (formerly Baptist Temple) is unique and relevant, as both institutions changed their names as recently as 2022 to represent a broader, more inclusive mission within their respective communities. “It was about two years ago, that Howard and I started talking about the possibility of a gift that could honor Jeannette’s legacy here at Heights Church, and what we came up with eventually was this space that you’re in Photo by Stephanie Shirley tonight,” said Eddie Crowell, Executive (L to R) Howard Moon, benefactor of the Director of Heights Church, at the new Moon Gallery with long-time fellow opening ceremony. “It is obviously a Heights Rotarian, Bob Frater. very beautiful, wonderful space for vibaptized in Baptist Temple, and she sual art. It can also serve as a wonderful space for luncheons, for fellowship, always said the most wonderful thing performing arts events, and visual arts in her life was that she met her fuSee MOON P. 2 ture husband here,” Moon quipped.

A Tale of Two Bridges (ATOTB) and the Rotary Club of Houston Skyline have released a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking qualified vendors to design, fabricate, and install a new trailhead gateway along the MKT Heights Hike and Bike Trail. The proposed structure will be located at Yale Street and 7th Street and is intended to create a welcoming entry point for trail users while enhancing the overall gathering space. The project aims to deliver an attractive and durable outdoor installation that reflects the character of the Heights neighborhood, improves navigation on the trail, and serves as a location for community information and interaction. The gateway is expected to incorporate wayfinding features, neighborhood identity, and potential seating elements. The selected vendor will provide design services, material recommendations, fabrication, and installation, along with a community engagement process that includes listening sessions, stakeholder presentations, and opportunities to incorporate neighborhood feedback. Installation is scheduled to begin March 29, 2026, with project completion due by May 1, 2026. Vendors are encouraged to complete an Intent to Apply by Tuesday, December 9, and formal proposals are due Tuesday, December 23, 2025. Proposals should include company qualifications, past experience with similar projects, design approach, materials, timeline, and detailed cost estimates. See TRAIL P. 2

Photo courtesy of ATOTB

Serving Houston’s Most Vulnerable: Deputy constable leads with compassion STAFF REPORTS MECA Houston hosts free community holiday celebrations

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THE INDEX. Topics ��4 Classifieds ��7

They live on the streets, under bridges and in the shadows. Some have nowhere to else go. Some don’t want to go anywhere else. It doesn’t matter to Cpl. John Moritz of the Harris County Constable Pct. One Alan Rosen’s homeless outreach team. He is on the streets to help. The last thig he wants to do is place someone in jail if what they really

need is a little assistance. “If you want a hand out, I’m not interested,” Moritz said. “If you want a hand up, I’m real interested.” Moritz says he prefers to steer them to specialized services, to ways out of their predicaments, but only if they want it. His Constable Precinct One SUV purposely has low-profile markings in order to appear more calming. It is often loaded with donated blankets, hoodies,

socks, and shoes. They are all new, packed in plastic, and ready to be shared. He offers rides to shelters, the sobering center or, from time-totime, all the way home to family. Moritz joined the Office of Harris County Constable Precinct One Alan Rosen in 2014 after working at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, where he was a major. See MORITZ P. 2

Warmest Holiday Wishes to all the readers of The Leader!

Photo courtesy of the Precinct One Constable’s Office

Precinct One Constable’s Office Cpl. John Moritz patrols the streets of Houston on the lookout for unsheltered people, ready to lend a hand to those who want it.