Texas State freshman John Mendoza Jr killed in police shooting; deputy fired
A Texas State University freshman was killed in a police-involved shooting as the deputy who allegedly fired off the fatal shot was fired.Brazoria County Deputy Kevin Tippit was sacked from his position following a week-long investigation into the death of 18-year-old John Mendoza Jr.on June 1, Sheriff Bo Stallman announced Tuesday.“The authority that is entrusted to law enforcement officers is extraordinary, and with that authority comes a responsibility to exercise sound judgment, follow policy and uphold the standards that are expected by this profession,” Stallman said in a video posted on Facebook.“Based on the ongoing investigations and the information available to me at this time, I have determined that due to the policy violations, related to the handling and discharging of his firearm the employment of the deputy involved in the shooting on June 1, Kevin Tippit, has been terminated effective today.”Officials said Tippit had “discharged his firearm” while confronting Mendoza following a pursuit just after midnight in Lake Jackson, Texas, a city in the Greater Houston area.Mendoza was allegedly heading home from a nearby park when he came across Tippit, his family said.Tippit had attempted to pull over Mendoza for a traffic stop on the outskirts of Lake Jackson, but the teen allegedly fled and led the deputy on a pursuit, the sheriff’s office said hours after the shooting.Mendoza drove roughly 1.3 miles to his home in a nearby neighborhood, where he parked in an attached garage and stepped out of his car, where Tippit approached the teen and allegedly fired his gun.Mendoza was rushed to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead, according to officials.“John Gabriel Mendoza Jr.
lost his life, your family lost a son, friends lost someone they loved.Regardless of any outcome of any investigation, your family’s loss is permanent and your grief is real,” Stallman said.
“I can not begin to understand the pain that your family is experie...