HOUSTON, Texas — A University of Houston student whose parked car was riddled with police gunfire during a July shootout was initially told the city owed her nothing, even though authorities do not accuse her of any wrongdoing.
Abigail Trujillo, 20, was working at Highland Village on July 6 when Houston police confronted Jamarcus Spates, who was driving a reportedly stolen vehicle. Nine officers opened fire, and dozens of bullets struck Trujillo’s Nissan Altima, totaling it. She still owed money on the vehicle and depended on it for school and work.
When Trujillo sought compensation, city attorneys denied her claim and wrote that they “regret your inconvenience.” The dispute highlights a broader legal fight over whether governments must compensate innocent property owners when police destroy property while pursuing suspects.
A similar Texas case involved Vicki Baker, whose McKinney home was heavily damaged by a SWAT team pursuing a fugitive. In May, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a ruling requiring McKinney to pay Baker nearly $60,000 under the Texas Constitution.
After publicity surrounding Trujillo’s case, Houston Mayor John Whitmire said the city had “totally mishandled” it. He said officials would help replace her car and review other previously denied property-damage claims.
Sources
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