The Texas Rangers and Brazoria County prosecutors are reviewing the deputy-involved shooting.
LAKE JACKSON, Texas — An 18-year-old Texas State University student was shot and killed early Monday after a Brazoria County sheriff’s deputy tried to stop his vehicle and a chase ended at a Lake Jackson home, authorities said.
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. died after the shooting in the 100 block of Indian Warrior Trail. The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy tried to make a traffic stop near FM 2004 and This Way Street about 12:09 a.m. Monday. Officials have not said why the stop was attempted or what led the deputy to fire.
The sheriff’s office said Mendoza did not stop and led the deputy on a pursuit before pulling into an attached garage at a home. Officials said the deputy then encountered Mendoza and discharged his firearm, striking him. Mendoza was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The deputy’s name has not been released, and the sheriff’s office said the deputy was placed on administrative leave under agency policy.
Mendoza’s family and their attorney, Charles Adams, said Mendoza had just finished his freshman year at Texas State and was home for summer break. Adams said Mendoza and friends had been playing basketball before the encounter with law enforcement. “It doesn’t sound like any of those young men did anything to warrant the use of deadly force,” Adams said.
Relatives described Mendoza as a former Brazoswood High School football player with close ties to his family. His father told KPRC that his son “had such a bright future ahead of him.” Family members said they want to know what happened in the garage and why deadly force was used after what authorities have described as an attempted traffic stop.
The sheriff’s office has released few details, citing the active investigation. It has not said whether Mendoza or anyone in the vehicle was armed, whether any contraband was found or whether body-camera or dash-camera video exists. Family representatives have said the occupants were unarmed. Those claims have not been publicly addressed in detail by investigators.
The Texas Rangers are assisting with the investigation along with the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office and the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office. No charges had been announced as of Tuesday. Officials said more information would be released after investigators complete more of their review.
Author note: Last updated June 2, 2026.