LAKE JACKSON, Texas – Newly obtained court records reveal Texas Rangers investigated former Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Tippit for possible criminal offenses, including manslaughter, after he fatally shot 18-year-old John Mendoza Jr. during a pursuit that ended inside a Lake Jackson garage.
Mendoza Jr., a Texas State University student, was shot and killed in front of his family home on June 1.
According to a search warrant affidavit filed by Texas Ranger Aaron Arizmendi on June 22, investigators sought a forensic examination of Tippit’s Glock 19X handgun as part of the criminal investigation.
The affidavit states investigators had probable cause to investigate possible offenses including:
- Manslaughter
- Criminally negligent homicide
- Aggravated assault by a public servant
The affidavit does not mean Tippit has been charged. As of Wednesday, no criminal charges have been filed.
Body camera details
According to the affidavit, Tippit initially attempted to stop a red Dodge Challenger for a traffic violation near Oyster Creek Drive and FM 2004.
Investigators say Mendoza Jr. fled, reaching speeds of about 120 mph and running six red lights before pulling into the garage of a home on Indian Warrior Trail.
The Texas Ranger wrote that after reviewing Tippit’s body camera, investigators observed Tippit enter the garage, approach the driver’s side door, draw his handgun and fire a shot through the driver’s side window into the passenger compartment.
After opening the driver’s door, investigators say Tippit realized the driver, later identified as Mendoza, had been struck.
The affidavit says Tippit then radioed dispatch that he had experienced an “accidental discharge” and reported that one man was bleeding. The Ranger wrote that, based on his training and experience, he understood Tippit to be referring to his firearm unintentionally discharging.
Investigators say Tippit immediately began providing lifesaving aid until emergency responders arrived.
A custodial death report submitted by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office says Mendoza died from a gunshot wound to his left upper extremity that entered his torso.
The report classifies the manner of death as homicide, identifies law enforcement personnel as the cause of death and lists the weapon as a handgun.
Norman Giles, the outside attorney representing Brazoria County and the district attorney’s office, told KPRC 2 the language used in the custodial death report came from preset drop-down menu options and was not intended to paint a particular narrative.
According to the search warrant affidavit, investigators recovered a spent 9mm casing inside the garage and seized Tippit’s Glock handgun.
The warrant sought a forensic examination to determine whether the firearm functioned properly, whether it fired the casing and bullet recovered during the investigation and whether any mechanical issues contributed to the shooting.
Charles Adams, who represents Mendoza’s father and his son’s estate, criticized both documents and said he believes the evidence supports a murder charge rather than the offenses listed in the affidavit.
“If any other citizen in the great state of Texas ran up on camera and shot someone without any legal justification, they would long be charged with murder,” Adams told KPRC 2.
Adams also disputed several statements in the custodial death report, including that Mendoza resisted arrest or barricaded himself and that it was unknown whether he possessed a weapon.
“It has been affirmed to me by the Rangers and by officers at the scene that morning that there were no weapons found in the car and that John Jr. was unarmed,” Adams said.
Sheriff Bo Stallman announced Tippit was fired due to policy violations last month via social media.
The Texas Rangers and the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate whether criminal charges are warranted.