HOUSTON – An investigation is underway after an 18-year-old college student was shot and killed by a Brazoria County Sheriff’s deputy following a chase Monday morning in Lake Jackson, according to officials.
The incident happened just after midnight near FM 2004 and This Way Street.
According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, a deputy attempted to initiate a traffic stop on a vehicle around 12:09 a.m. on Monday, June 1.
Investigators say the driver, who has been identified as 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., a sophomore at Texas State University, failed to stop and led deputies on a pursuit.
Authorities said the chase ended when Mendoza Jr. pulled into an attached garage of a home in the 100 block of Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson.
Officials have not released many details about what happened next, but investigators say the deputy encountered Mendoza and discharged his firearm, hitting him.
Mendoza was transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Detectives remained at the scene for hours on Monday morning, collecting evidence as the investigation continued.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office has requested assistance from the Texas Rangers, who will lead the investigation alongside the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.
In accordance with department policy, the deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation.
KPRC 2 spoke with Mendoza’s family, who said he had been playing football since he was 5 years old. The family says they are heartbroken.