TEXARKANA, Texas -- A man accused of shooting at a car occupied by two women last year pleaded not guilty to two counts of deadly conduct at a hearing Monday in Bowie County.
Jovan Marquis Forte, 23, appeared for arraignment before 5th District Judge Bill Miller. Texarkana lawyer Jake Potter entered pleas of not guilty on Forte's behalf.
Forte was allegedly traveling in a white Lincoln when he shot at and chased a red Volkswagen Jetta on the afternoon of May 4, 2021, according to a probable cause affidavit.
New Boston police received a call at about 4:15 p.m. alerting them that a white car was chasing a red one and shooting at it on North Merrill Street.
New Boston Police Officer Westin Fannin located a red 2007 Volkswagen Jetta parked on the shoulder of U.S. Highway 82 just west of Merrill Street. The driver and her female passenger reportedly said Forte pulled up behind them at the intersection of Merrill and U.S. 82, got out of his car and fired a handgun at them.
"Officer Fannin observed a bullet hole in the back left tail light," the affidavit states.
With the help of one of Forte's family members, investigators reporteldy found Forte at his home in DeKalb, Texas. Forte allegedly admitted to firing one shot in the air and another at the Volkswagon and claimed he was upset because he believed the Volkswagen's passenger vandalized his car.
Forte allegedly agreed to lead officers to the .40-caliber Glock pistol he used to shoot at the Volkswagen. A black duffle bag was recovered from beneath a lawn mower in Forte's backyard, which allegedly contained the handgun.
Miller scheduled Forte for a pretrial hearing in June. If found guilty of deadly conduct, Forte faces two to 10 years on each count.
Forte is free on bond.