Binel "BJ" Gasery III, a 33-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on August 8, 2019, in Houston, Texas. He was a native of Terrebonne Parish and a resident of Gray, Louisiana. On that fateful day, Binel Gasery III and Bradley Barker, a 25-year-old male, were traveling in a Nissan Sentra on the East Freeway near Federal Road during rush hour traffic. The incident occurred when Jonathan Aleman, a 32-year-old male, intentionally struck their vehicle.
Once the cars came to a stop in the middle lanes, Aleman exited his vehicle and opened fire on the victims' car. Despite their attempts to escape by reversing on the freeway, Aleman continued to shoot, ultimately killing both men.
The investigation revealed that Aleman used an assault rifle, although he later claimed it was a modified Glock pistol. Witnesses reported that the shooting caused widespread panic among commuters, with many fearing it was a mass shooting. A bystander in traffic fired back at Aleman, forcing him to retreat to his car and flee the scene. Houston Police Department investigators utilized cellphone data and surveillance footage to identify and apprehend Aleman. Initially, another individual was arrested in connection with the double murder, but further investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing.
Aleman confessed to the murders, stating that the confrontation stemmed from a "drug deal gone wrong" between the victims and a friend of his. He was charged with murder and faced the possibility of a life sentence without parole if convicted of capital murder. However, Aleman pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Under the plea agreement, he cannot appeal the conviction or the sentence and must serve at least half of the prison term before becoming eligible for parole. The case highlighted the dangers of extreme gun violence and the impact it has on the community, as emphasized by Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg.
