FORT WORTH, Texas — A Georgia man will spend the rest of his life in prison after pleading guilty to killing his father in a shooting that prosecutors said was planned for months.
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A Tarrant County, Texas jury sentenced 29-year-old Xavier Bass to life in prison after he admitted to murdering his father, Gene Bass, in June 2024.
According to the Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office, Xavier Bass drove from Georgia to his father’s home in Fort Worth on June 28, 2024. Prosecutors said he parked his Ford Mustang, approached his father with a pistol and opened fire.
“The victim approached the suspect and said something to the effect of, ‘Boy, stop playing with that gun before you shoot someone,’” according to an affidavit obtained by Channel 2 Action News.
Investigators said Gene Bass, 54, tried to run away, but Xavier Bass chased him and continued shooting.
Prosecutors said the victim was hit 12 times, including two gunshot wounds to the head.
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Gene Bass was a retired U.S. Army master sergeant and worked as a JROTC teacher for Crowley Independent School District.
Authorities said Xavier Bass got back into his car after the shooting and drove back to Georgia. He was arrested the following day.
During sentencing, Assistant District Attorney Ashlea Deener urged jurors to impose a life sentence.
“This is absolutely a life sentence case,” Deener told the jury. “Someday he will get out. When he gets out, will you feel safe? Will you be able to sleep?”
Prosecutors said evidence showed Xavier Bass spent months planning the attack before carrying it out.
Xavier Bass allegedly told his girlfriend he was going to drive to see his mom, sell his Mustang, and check himself into a mental hospital. On the day of the shooting, she allegedly tried to call Xavier Bass, but he didn’t answer the phone.
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