HOUSTON, Texas – The family of the man accused of shooting someone during a Pasadena Memorial High School event is demanding an outside investigation into his death after a medical emergency while in custody.
Civil rights attorney Randall Kallinen is calling for an independent investigation into the circumstances of Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr.’s death.
READ MORE: 83-year-old Pasadena Memorial High School shooting suspect dies in custody
A news conference was held today at 11 a.m. outside the Harris County Jail, where Brandl’s family addressed the need for better medical care and funding.
Brandl, who had never been convicted of a crime, was taken to Ben Taub Hospital on March 1 after experiencing internal bleeding from multiple bleeding sites in his small intestine.
His family said he had no known gastrointestinal issues before his hospitalization, raising concerns about the possibility of an assault at the Harris County Jail.
Kallinen said, “Given the nature of his injury and the timing, we suspect foul play might have been involved. We need an independent investigation, and it should be handled by an outside agency, such as the Texas Rangers or FBI.”
Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr.’s son spoke out at the news conference, calling for transparency.
“My father never had any issues like this before,” he said. “I don’t understand how something like this could happen. We need to know the truth about what really happened to him in there.”
Brandl’s assault case had been dismissed just days before his hospitalization, prompting even more questions from the family. Kallinen has reiterated the need for an independent investigation, explaining, “An external agency is needed to oversee the inquiry to ensure fairness and transparency. We cannot rely on local authorities to investigate themselves.”
Brandl’s son expressed frustration over the lack of answers, saying, “We just want to know what happened to him. The system failed him, and now we’re left in the dark. That’s not right. We need answers, and we need them now.”
READ MORE: Pasadena Memorial HS shooting: Off-duty HPD officer stops gunman at band competition
What happened?
Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr., the 83-year-old man accused of shooting a person during a Pasadena Memorial High School event, died Sunday after a medical emergency while in custody.
After being taken to Ben Taub Hospital for treatment, Brandl was released to medical providers and passed away the following day.
The incident happened during a Texas Color Guard Circuit percussion competition, where Brandl allegedly opened fire with a small-caliber handgun, striking a man in the shoulder. The victim was airlifted to a hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Brandl had been in custody pending a mental evaluation after being deemed a potential risk to others. His bond had been set at $80,000, and he faced conditions such as no contact with the victim, Dwight Benjamin, and a prohibition on firearms, drugs, and alcohol.
Brandl, who is not affiliated with the band contest, was tackled by an off-duty Houston Police Department officer attending the event. Other attendees assisted in disarming him before security personnel and officers took control of the situation. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office has charged Brandl with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
According to Pasadena Police Department, Brandl claimed he was being chased and feared for his and his wife’s safety, leading him to the school. However, authorities have not corroborated these claims, and it remains unclear if Brandl was experiencing a mental breakdown.
Pasadena Independent School District released a statement acknowledging the incident and confirmed that the suspect had no ties to the competition. The district is providing crisis counseling and additional security at campuses.