Reserve deputy accused in road rage shooting

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Kenneth Caplan probably isn't used to being on the wrong side of the law. For years, he's been a Harris County Reserve Deputy, working as both a bailiff and traffic patrol officer. But, should somebody have been watching him more closely?

"Unfortunately, this is not the only incident that we believe this defendant has been involved in with regard to road rage," said prosecutor Angela Weltin, who is asking victims to come forward.

Caplan is accused of shooting a 20-year-old woman who honked at him while driving on the South Loop on November 11.

"He pulled his weapon on the complainant while they were driving at close to 65 miles an hour, pulled the trigger, fired through her window," Weltin said. "It entered and exited, then ricocheted off her skull, and embedded in the roof of her vehicle."

That victim was hospitalized, and is expected to recover. However, her family tells Eyewitness News she's still in a lot of pain.

"Like any coin, there are two sides to it," said Caplan's defense attorney, Alan Isbell.

Caplan had been a Reserve Deputy for two years, but was already suspended due to another driving incident at the time of this alleged shooting.

Now he joins a long list of Precinct 6 Reserve Deputies to be charged with serious crimes. In 2009, a Reserve Deputy was found guilty of murder. And, in just the past two years, seven others have been charged.

"You have to go through a psychological evaluation and then a field training program as well," explained Lt. Macario Sosa with Precinct 6.

Reserve Deputies aren't paid. In fact, they even have to buy their own uniforms and weapons, in exchange for valuable training hours.

Now, many wonder if Precinct 6's program is working.

"Society has issues," Sosa said. "So does law enforcement, and we're just here to police our own."

Caplan's bail has been set at $100,000 for one count of aggravated assault.