By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Months after the fatal shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., Brazoria County released an incident report printed two days after the shooting.
The sheriff’s office printed the report on June 3, 2026, at 7:39 a.m. The report warns that it only reflects the investigation as it existed at that time.
The county released the early John Mendoza report on September 14. However, it withheld the bodycam, dashcam and nearly the entire detailed narrative.
What the John Mendoza report shows
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office lists the incident under case number 2606-0001.
The report identifies the original allegation as evading arrest or detention with a vehicle. It lists the location as the 1100 block of FM 2004 in Lake Jackson.
The report identifies the vehicle as a red 2021 Dodge Challenger.
A short summary states that deputies attempted a traffic stop before the vehicle fled.
The report lists the State of Texas as the victim. It identifies Mendoza as the suspect in the alleged evading offense.
That classification only concerns the original pursuit report. It does not establish that Mendoza committed a crime.
County redacts Tippit’s narrative
The detailed narrative contains one visible line about former Brazoria County Deputy Kevin Daniel Tippit.
The report states that Tippit advised he was in pursuit at about 12:09 a.m.
The county covered nearly every word that follows with black boxes. It also redacted the names of the assisting officers.
The visible line does not establish when the pursuit began. It only records when the report says Tippit advised that he was in pursuit.
Records do not contradict Ranger affidavit
The new report does not contradict the timeline in the Texas Ranger affidavit.
The Ranger affidavit says Tippit observed the Challenger around 12:06 a.m. It also says he activated his emergency lights and siren.
The available scanner recording begins carrying pursuit traffic around 12:08 a.m. The sheriff’s report then places Tippit’s pursuit notification at about 12:09 a.m.
Those times describe different points during the encounter. They do not prove that investigators provided an incorrect timeline.
The newly released report also does not reveal the “accidental discharge” statement. The previously obtained scanner audio already captured Tippit making that report.
Rangers reviewed bodycam and dashcam
The Texas Ranger affidavit says investigators reviewed Tippit’s bodycam and dashcam.
According to the affidavit, the Challenger reached approximately 120 mph and ran six red lights. The pursuit ended inside the garage at Mendoza’s family home.
The affidavit says Tippit entered the garage and fired through the driver’s-side window.
Scanner traffic later captured Tippit reporting what he described as an “accidental discharge.”
The new John Mendoza report offers no additional account of the shooting. Brazoria County withheld the videos that could allow the public to examine the encounter independently.
Attorney General allows county to withhold records
The Texas Attorney General issued ruling OR2026-038106 on August 28, 2026.
The ruling covered eight public-information requests, including Brazoria County request number 26-1859.
Brazoria County argued that releasing the evidence could interfere with an active criminal case. The Attorney General allowed the county to withhold most of the investigative material.
However, the ruling required the county to release basic information.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose then requested the information covered by the ruling. Brazoria County assigned that follow-up request number 26-2947.
The county responded on September 14 with the early report and extensive redactions.
Report predates major developments
The sheriff’s office printed the released report on June 3.
That date matters because the report predates several major developments in the case.
Sheriff Bo Stallman fired Tippit on June 9. Stallman cited policy violations involving the handling and discharge of Tippit’s firearm.
A Brazoria County grand jury later indicted Tippit on aggravated assault by a public servant. Texas Rangers arrested him on August 11.
The court has scheduled Tippit’s trial for February 1, 2027. Court dates can change.
An indictment does not establish guilt. The law presumes Tippit innocent unless prosecutors prove the charge in court.
Release offers no updated shooting account
The records released in September provide an early account of the alleged evading offense. They do not provide a current summary of the shooting investigation.
The packet contains no updated narrative following Tippit’s firing, indictment or arrest. It also contains no bodycam, dashcam or complete radio record.
The release confirms that Tippit advised he was in pursuit at about 12:09 a.m. Beyond that entry, it adds little to the established public record.
The most important evidence remains outside public view.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose will continue seeking the bodycam, dashcam and other records as the criminal case moves forward.
Read the documents
The Attorney General ruling, Brazoria County’s response and the sanitized incident report appear below.
My new book is now available
My new book, When Two Worlds Collide During WWII, follows two families on opposite sides of World War II and the remarkable events that eventually brought their lives together in Wisconsin.
The story is based on my own family history, with real people, family photographs and stories passed down through generations.
Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.