LAKE JACKSON — An 18-year-old Texas State University student, John Mendoza Jr., was shot and killed by a Brazoria County deputy in his father’s garage in Lake Jackson, Texas, just after midnight on June 1, 2026. The incident occurred on Indian Warrior Trail following an attempted traffic stop near the intersection of FM 2004 and This Way Street.

The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office stated that Mendoza fled after a deputy attempted to pull him over. Family attorney Charles Adams, a former police officer, said Mendoza and two others had their hands raised, made no effort to flee, and received no verbal instruction before the shooting. Adams said the deputy shot Mendoza through a rolled-up driver-side window, striking him in the shoulder with a bullet that passed through his heart.

Initial scanner traffic from Brazoria County described the shooting as an “accidental discharge.” Adams said the deputy immediately stated that he “messed up.” The Sheriff’s Office has not disclosed what initiated the traffic stop or the deputy’s identity. The deputy has been placed on administrative leave, which the office said is standard practice.

Adams stated: “Failing to yield and pull over for police is a crime. It is not a crime for which you can be murdered for. And I don’t use that lightly.”

John Mendoza Sr. said: “He was my heart. He had such a bright future ahead of him.” Mendoza’s great aunt Glenda said: “We want justice. We just want to know what happened. No kid is perfect, but nobody deserves this.”

The Texas Rangers are investigating the shooting for possible criminal charges. A Texas DPS spokesperson said all findings will be presented to the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.