A Tarrant County jury has sentenced Xavier Bass, 29, to life in prison for the fatal shooting of his father, Gene Bass, in Fort Worth. Xavier Bass entered a guilty plea to the murder charge, which prosecutors described as a premeditated ambush that he planned over several months before traveling from Georgia.
The attack occurred at the family residence on Chesapeake Bay Drive in southwest Fort Worth. According to authorities, Xavier Bass drove more than 900 miles from Valdosta, Georgia, to the home. Surveillance footage recorded the incident, showing him opening fire and pursuing his father as he attempted to escape. The shooting left Gene Bass with 12 gunshot wounds, including two to the head.
Gene Bass was a 54-year-old retired U.S. Army master sergeant and a JROTC instructor for the Crowley Independent School District. The district described him as a beloved and treasured member of the community who worked with cadets across all middle and high school campuses. A district statement noted that he was an outstanding educator who touched the lives of many students and staff.
Xavier Bass fled back to Georgia after the shooting and was arrested the following day. An affidavit revealed that he had previously told his girlfriend he needed to drive to Texas and that she would hear the reason on the news. Although she initially stopped him, he later contacted his father to say he was coming to visit without providing details.
The affidavit also included statements from the girlfriend regarding the family dynamic. She told police that Xavier felt his father could have improved their circumstances and avoided leaving him with his mother to face financial struggles during his upbringing. A landscaping crew also witnessed the event at the home.
