Everett Briscoe, a 41-year-old African American male and a detective with the New Orleans Police Department, was fatally shot on August 21, 2021, while dining at the Grotto Ristorante in Houston, Texas. Briscoe was on a trip with friends from a well-known New Orleans social club when the incident occurred. He was a 13-year law enforcement veteran and a husband and father of two.
The shooting happened during an attempted robbery by two men, Frederick Jackson and Anthony Jenkins, who were
later arrested and charged with capital murder. According to court documents, Jackson and Jenkins approached the patio of the restaurant carrying guns and demanding money. During the encounter, Briscoe was shot in the head, and his friend, Dyrin Riculfy, was also wounded. Riculfy was in critical condition at a hospital following the shooting.
Houston police identified Jackson and Jenkins as suspects based on research on the motive, the vehicle used in the getaway, and several Crime Stoppers tips. Jackson was arrested at an apartment complex in southwest Houston, where investigators seized a Nissan Altima that matched the description of the vehicle that fled the scene. Jenkins was arrested later by a SWAT team. Both men were out on bond for previous crimes at the time of the shooting.
The Harris County District Attorney, Kim Ogg, hinted at seeking the death penalty for Jackson and Jenkins due to the capital murder charge. Ogg also mentioned that the shooting appeared to be a robbery gone bad, possibly committed to raise bail money for a friend. Jackson later pleaded guilty to the murders of Briscoe and Riculfy and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for at least 30 years.
The tragic incident highlighted the dangers faced by law enforcement officers, even when off-duty, and the impact of violent crime on families and communities. Briscoe's death was mourned by family, friends, and colleagues, who remembered him as a dedicated officer and a loving family man.
