HOUSTON – Standing silently at a Houston press conference Thursday, North Shore High School football star Chace Calicut let others do the talking about his alleged involvement in a July 6 shooting that has put his promising athletic future at risk.
The University of Georgia commit, fresh out of jail after a two-night stay, faces serious allegations and charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
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No one was hurt in the shooting that took place on Kuykendahl Road in North Harris County.
However, his story, as told through prominent community activist Quanell X, paints him as a victim in the situation.
“He was a victim that night, not a criminal,” Quanell X said at a press conference outside of the Calicut family home in Cloverlead. “This young man was in the vehicle under threat. He did not want to participate in anything criminal.”
Two Very Different Stories
The version of events presented by Harris County investigators sharply contradicts these claims.
Court documents filed by detectives accuse Calicut of years of harassment against the shooting victims.
Detectives say the football standout deliberately drove erratically and brake-checked the victims’ vehicle during the incident.
“This young man was in the vehicle under threat. He did not want to participate in anything criminal,” Quannell X said. “He made it crystal clear, ‘Man, I got a lot to lose, but I don’t want to do this. I’m going to go home.’ Under threat was he in that vehicle.”
Adding another layer to the complex case, Calicut’s teammate Isaiah Phillip, the only other known passenger in Calicut’s Cadillac that night, was shot and killed Monday morning in an unrelated incident in Harris County.
“Let me tell you something, his duty was to survive,” Quannell X said.
When asked whether Phillip was the one threatening Calicut to take part in the shooting, Quanell X wouldn’t answer.
Gage Goulding: “Are you saying that Mr. Philip was threatening?”
Quannell X: “We’re not answering that right now.”
Gage Goulding: “It’s very convoluted for us, we’re trying to understand.”
Quannell X: “It’s going to be convoluted to all the facts come out.”
Gage Goulding: “So, that’s what we’re trying to learn: facts.”
Quannell X: “Next question.
Calicut’s Side Of The Story
The dispute doesn’t stop at what happened during the shooting. Even the investigation itself has become a point of heated debate.
“It’s a shame that the lead detectives in this case never once attempted to come and speak to him and interview him,” Quanell X claimed during the press conference.
According to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office, that’s false.
In a sworn statement, detectives say they stopped by the Calicuts’ home in Cloverleaf, but his father turned them away.
Gage Goulding: “So you’re saying that he, no detective ever showed up here at this house asking questions.”
Quannell X: “No, not one.”
Gage Goulding: “So, are you saying that’s a bold face lie by detectives?”
Quannell X: “Let me correct you. It’s a bold-faced lie. Hell, I was on the speaker. I remember that night vividly. It was in the morning. I was on the speaker. We recorded the entire event, sir. You’re right. That’s an absolute lie.”
Gage Goulding: “Would you be willing to release that Will you give that to us today?
Quannell X: “I’ll release it to the appropriate people.”
KPRC 2 has not received a copy of the recording Quannell X is referring to.
Chace’s father, Walter Calicut, wouldn’t say if he even spoke to detectives on July 6, as written in court documents.
Gage Goulding: “Did the detective come by and attempt to speak to your son? Yes or no question.”
Walter Calicut: “I’m going to have to answer that at a later time.”
The Harris County Sheriff’s Office quickly pushed back against claims detectives didn’t try to reach Chace Calicut, issuing the following statement to KPRC 2’s Gage Goulding:
“Please refer to the publicly available probable cause affidavit in this case. It is posted on the Harris County District Clerk’s website. This is a sworn statement filed by the detective, reviewed by an assistant district attorney, and submitted to the court. This document clearly explains the preliminary evidence gathered in this case that support the filing of charges. This remains an ongoing investigation, and we are unable to provide information beyond what is already stated in public records.”
What’s Next?
That’s a two-part question, with one side looking at the criminal proceeding and the other looking at Calicut’s football career.
The court case into the charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon will continue, taking some time.
As for his athletic career, Chace has his senior season with North Shore High School starting in just a few weeks. Beyond that, KPRC 2 asked the Universty of Georgia Bulldogs football team about their future with Calicut.
We’re still waiting for a response to our message.
Just weeks ago, Calicut was celebrating his commitment to play football for the Georgia Bulldogs. Now, that future seems uncertain. The University of Georgia football program has remained quiet about their recruit’s status, not responding to multiple requests for comment.
