Audio recordings from dispatch on the night an 18-year-old was shot and killed by a deputy in Lake Jackson reveal the phrase “accidental discharge.” The incident involved John Mendoza Jr. and is currently under investigation, as his family seeks clarity on the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
The sequence of events commenced shortly after midnight when a deputy attempted to pull over Mendoza near FM 2004. Reports indicate that two other teenagers were present in the vehicle. Instead of stopping, Mendoza drove to a residence on Indian Warrior Trail, where the deputy encountered him in the garage. During this interaction, the deputy discharged his weapon, resulting in Mendoza’s death at a local hospital.
While the dispatch audio captured the moment of the incident, the details leading up to the traffic stop and the events within the garage remain unclear. Authorities have not released a timeline for the completion of their investigation.
Mendoza’s family expressed their grief and frustration during a public statement outside their home, calling for accountability and a thorough investigation. An incoming sophomore at Texas State University, Mendoza had received football scholarship offers. “I see him lying there. I’m checking pulses and I’m grabbing his hands,” his father recounted. “My son’s body laid there lifeless for nothing. They took the best thing of me. He was a good kid.”
The family has reported receiving minimal information from investigators, despite their requests for updates. “There’s been no information; they seem to want tons of information from me, and I’ve gotten nothing,” his father added.
Local advocacy groups have stepped in to support the family, emphasizing the need for transparency in the investigation. Dr. Sergio Lira, president of Greater Houston LULAC 4967, stated, “We’re here to ensure that the family gets the answers, that they get transparency, and that this was not a case of racial profiling. That’s what we’re hoping for, and we’re going to stand and support the family.”
The case remains active, with the Texas Department of Public Safety confirming that the Texas Rangers are currently investigating. Once their inquiry is completed, the findings will be forwarded to the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office for further review.
