Two Arrested After Viral Video Shows Assault on Homeless Man in Tomball

Tomball, TX – Two men are in custody after deputies say they pepper-sprayed and filmed a homeless man in an unprovoked assault that was later posted to social media, sparking widespread outrage.

According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 13600 block of State Highway 249 on November 5, 2025, after receiving reports of an assault that occurred the previous night.

Investigators say that on November 4 around 11:30 p.m., a 35-year-old homeless man was inside a dumpster behind a local business retrieving his clothing when a vehicle approached. The car was driven by a Black male with a Hispanic male passenger. Without provocation, the Hispanic man got out of the vehicle, pepper-sprayed the victim, and took photos while the man was disoriented.

The driver reportedly stayed in the vehicle, recording the incident on video and encouraging the attack. Authorities say the footage was later uploaded to Instagram, where it quickly spread and prompted public outrage.

Detectives from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office Violent Offender Unit (VOU) took over the investigation, interviewing the victim and witnesses, collecting evidence, and connecting the victim with support services through the HCSO Victim Assistance Unit.

After identifying both suspects, detectives presented the case to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, which filed Assault charges against both men.

On November 7, members of the HCSO VIPER Squad One arrested 27-year-old Jace Fields and booked him into the Harris County Jail. Hours later, around midnight on November 8, detectives arrested 20-year-old Xavier Martinez, who was also booked into the county jail.

Sheriff Ed Gonzalez commended the teamwork of the various HCSO units involved.
“Kudos to our Harris County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies, detectives with our Violent Offender Unit, and members of the Violent Persons Task Force,” Sheriff Gonzalez said. “I also want to thank our Victim Assistance Unit for providing support services to the victim.”

Anyone with additional information about the case is asked to contact the Harris County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at 713-221-6000 or Crime Stoppers of Houston at 713-222-TIPS (8477).