Brazoria County Hires Outside Counsel as Family Seeks Footage in Fatal Deputy Shooting

Overview

• An 18-year-old, John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., was shot by a Brazoria County deputy after a traffic stop and brief pursuit on June 1 and later died at a hospital.
• Sheriff Bo Stallman terminated Deputy Kevin Tippett for policy violations related to firearm handling on June 9, but no criminal charges have been filed.
• The Texas Rangers and DPS are leading an active criminal investigation that officials say will require months of forensic work before it is forwarded to the Brazoria County district attorney and possibly a grand jury.
• Brazoria County retained Houston attorney Norman Giles to represent the county and has directed the family’s lawyer to communicate through that counsel while the county has asked the Texas Attorney General to rule on release of body and dash camera footage.
• Local media and the family’s attorney point to surveillance video and dispatch audio that include the sound of one gunshot and a reference to an 'accidental discharge,' but officials stress those materials do not replace formal forensic results and the family continues to press for transparency and answers.