Former Fort Worth Officer Sued After Road Rage Incident
A lawsuit filed September 2 alleges the city and a former police chief showed indifference toward an officer's conduct.
Updated on Oct. 9, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Samuel and Mykaela Christopher filed a lawsuit on September 2 in Tarrant County district court against the city of Fort Worth and its former police chief. The suit follows a 2024 road rage shooting on Interstate 35W involving William Martin, a former officer.
Why it matters
The legal action claims the city and its leadership were deliberately indifferent regarding Martin's employment history, which included a controversial 2016 arrest.
William Martin pleaded guilty to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in May 2026. Sentencing for the former officer is scheduled for December 2026.
The players
William Martin
He is a former Fort Worth police officer who was fired following an Internal Affairs investigation into a road rage shooting.
Joel Fitzgerald
He served as the Fort Worth police chief until he was fired from the city position in 2019.
Jacqueline Craig
She was the subject of a high-profile 2016 arrest by Martin and later received a $150,000 settlement from the city.
Samuel Christopher
He is a plaintiff in a lawsuit filed against the city of Fort Worth regarding a 2024 road rage shooting incident.
The details
The lawsuit contends that the city maintained a pattern of indifference toward Martin, who was previously suspended for 10 days without pay following an incident where he wrestled Jacqueline Craig to the ground during an arrest. Martin allegedly called 911 and trailed the plaintiffs' truck for several minutes on Interstate 35W before firing multiple shots.
Timeline
2016: William Martin arrested Jacqueline Craig.
2019: Joel Fitzgerald was fired from his role as police chief.
May 2026: William Martin pleaded guilty to aggravated assault.
September 2, 2026: Samuel Christopher filed the lawsuit in Tarrant County.
December 2026: William Martin is scheduled for sentencing.
Legal Context
This lawsuit follows a pattern set by the 2016 Jacqueline Craig arrest litigation regarding police oversight in Fort Worth. The current filing tests the city's liability standards following a Texas Supreme Court ruling that favored the city in separate whistleblower litigation.
The litigation highlights ongoing concerns regarding police oversight and the financial impact of settlements on the city budget. Residents may see continued scrutiny of hiring practices and disciplinary procedures within the local department.
The takeaway
This case underscores the long-term legal and financial risks cities face when handling officer misconduct allegations. Legal experts suggest that such filings often influence future municipal policy on disciplinary transparency and internal review processes.
What happens next
William Martin is scheduled for a sentencing hearing in December 2026 regarding his guilty plea for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Further reading
Learn more about local oversight and litigation in the Fort Worth section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
