Apostle's George R . Mendoza Sr. and Rudy Mendoza

06/02/2026

06/02/2026

🚨 A Texas State University student is dead after being shot by a Brazoria County Sheriff's deputy following a chase in Lake Jackson.

Authorities say a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle near FM 2004 and This Way Street just after midnight Monday. Investigators say the driver, identified as 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., did not stop and led deputies on a pursuit.

According to the sheriff's office, the chase ended when Mendoza pulled into the attached garage of a home on Indian Warrior Trail. What happened next remains under investigation, but officials say a deputy encountered Mendoza and fired his weapon, striking him.

Mendoza, a sophomore at Texas State University, was taken to a hospital where he later died. His family tells KPRC 2 they are devastated. They said Mendoza had been playing football since he was 5 years old.

The Texas Rangers and the Brazoria County District Attorney's Office are now leading the investigation. The deputy involved has been placed on administrative leave.

06/02/2026

There are growing calls for accountability after a Brazoria County deputy shot and killed 18-year-old John Mendoza Jr. early Monday in his father’s garage.

It happened just after midnight on Indian Warrior Trial after the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office said a deputy tried to pull over a driver near FM 2004 and This Way Street but the driver wouldn’t stop.