Houston Man Sentenced to 50 Years for Shooting Deputy Constable

A Houston man was sentenced Thursday to 50 years in prison for shooting a deputy constable in the legs seven times, causing severe injuries in 2017, Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced.

Constantine Argyriou, 44, received the sentence from the same Harris County jury that convicted him of aggravated assault of a public servant, a first-degree felony with a penalty range similar to that of a murder charge.

During the five-day trial, jurors learned that Precinct 4 Constable’s Deputy Justin Gay responded to a family violence call at Argyriou’s home in northwest Houston. Witnesses directed Gay to a nearby grassy area where Argyriou was located. When Gay attempted to detain Argyriou, they struggled on the ground. Argyriou, while on the ground, pulled a pistol and shot Gay multiple times in the legs, then stood over him and fired several more rounds before fleeing the scene. Argyriou was apprehended about a mile away, with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office handling the investigation.

Deputy Gay was transported by LifeFlight to Memorial Hermann Hospital in critical condition but survived. He was able to walk again four months later and returned to work, though he continues to suffer from chronic pain.

Assistant District Attorneys Sepi Zimmer and Bryan Honeycutt prosecuted Argyriou. “We’re proud of the jury for telling the community that we will stand up for law enforcement in Harris County,” Zimmer said.

Argyriou, 44, must serve at least half of his 50-year sentence before he is eligible for parole consideration by the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.