Houston Man Charged with Capital Murder After Body Found in Running SUV

A Houston man has been charged with capital murder after deputies discovered the body of 22-year-old Jaiden Jackson inside a running SUV abandoned along Salter Road in northeast Houston, according to the Harris County Sheriff's Office (HCSO). Investigators identified the suspect as 20-year-old Ben Gage.

HCSO deputies responded earlier this week after a passerby noticed a vehicle running in a roadside ditch. When officers approached, they found Jackson unresponsive in the driver’s seat with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

After gathering surveillance video and interviewing witnesses, detectives say they developed Gage as the primary suspect. He has now been charged with capital murder, according to authorities. Details about a possible motive have not yet been released, and investigators have not confirmed whether Jackson and Gage knew each other.

Ongoing Investigation

The Harris County Sheriff’s Office continues to collect evidence and interview individuals who may have information about the events leading up to the shooting. Deputies have not released the circumstances that led Jackson to the area or how the confrontation unfolded.

Officials are urging anyone with information to contact HCSO or Crime Stoppers. Anonymous tips may help investigators fill in key gaps in the timeline, they added.

Why It Matters

Violent crime remains a pressing concern for neighborhoods across Houston, particularly in areas where residents have voiced anxiety about safety and police response times. This case has drawn attention not only because of its severity but also because of the circumstances in which Jackson was found — inside a running vehicle, alone, and off the roadway.

As the investigation continues, community members look for answers, and authorities aim to provide clarity regarding the events that led to Jackson’s death.

This article is a summary of reporting by ABC13 Houston. Read the full story here.