Bradley James Barker Jr., a 25-year-old male of African American ethnicity, tragically lost his life on August 8, 2019, in Houston, Texas. He was originally from Gray, Louisiana, and was visiting Houston at the time of his death. Bradley was survived by his son, Da'shon Torrell Cole "Bentley," and his parents, Bradley J. Barker Sr. and Amina Gant, among other family members.
Bradley Barker Jr.'s death was part of a double murder incident on the East Freeway in Houston.
The incident occurred during rush hour when Jonathan Aleman, a 32-year-old Houston resident, intentionally collided with the car Barker was in. Aleman then exited his vehicle and opened fire on Barker and another victim, Binel Gasery Jr., using a modified Glock pistol that resembled an assault rifle. Both Barker and Gasery were killed in the attack.
Following the shooting, Aleman attempted to flee but was forced to return to his car and leave the scene after a bystander opened fire on him. Investigators from the Houston Police Department used cellphone data and surveillance footage to identify and arrest Aleman. Initially, another individual was also arrested in connection with the murders, but further investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing.
In November 2023, Jonathan Aleman pled guilty to the murders of Bradley Barker Jr. and Binel Gasery Jr. He was sentenced to 60 years in prison, with the possibility of parole after serving at least half of his sentence. The Harris County District Attorney emphasized that such extreme gun violence has no place in the community and highlighted the importance of resolving disputes without resorting to violence.
The tragic loss of Bradley Barker Jr. and Binel Gasery Jr. left their families and friends devastated, and the case brought attention to the issue of gun violence and the need for community safety measures.
