John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Archives - Chopper Rose Productions

Kevin Tippit mugshot following his arrest on a first-degree felony aggravated assault charge in the fatal shooting of John Mendoza Jr. — Former Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Daniel Tippit was arrested by Texas Rangers on August 11, 2026, in connection with the fatal shooting of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Photo credit: Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.

Former Brazoria County Deputy Kevin Tippit Indicted in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old

By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose

Former Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Daniel Tippit now faces a first-degree felony charge and the possibility of decades in prison following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr.

A Brazoria County grand jury indicted Tippit on aggravated assault by a public servant in connection with the June 1, 2026 shooting in Lake Jackson, according to the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office. Texas Rangers arrested Tippit Tuesday, August 11.

Brazoria County jail records list his bond at $250,000.

If convicted as charged, Tippit faces five to 99 years or life in prison, according to the district attorney’s office.

Pursuit Ends at John Mendoza Jr.’s Home

Home on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson where the fatal shooting of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. occurred on June 1, 2026. — **The Lake Jackson home where John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., 18, was fatally shot on June 1, 2026, after a pursuit ended at the residence. Photo by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose.**

The shooting happened early June 1 after Tippit attempted to stop Mendoza while he was driving in Lake Jackson.

Mendoza did not immediately stop and instead drove to his father’s home in the 100 block of Indian Warrior Trail. The pursuit ended at the home, where Tippit encountered Mendoza near or inside the garage and fired his weapon. Mendoza later died from his injuries.

Mendoza was a Texas State University student who had just completed his freshman year and was home for the summer.

Grand Jury Indicts Kevin Tippit

The indictment marks a major development in the Texas Rangers’ investigation into Mendoza’s death.

Court documents allege Tippit recklessly caused serious bodily injury to Mendoza by shooting him.

That wording is significant because the charge focuses on Tippit’s alleged reckless conduct. A grand jury indictment means jurors found sufficient probable cause for the criminal case to proceed. It does not establish guilt.

Tippit remains innocent unless a court finds him guilty.

Shooting Came Within Seconds of Deputy’s Arrival, Family Attorney Says

John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. pictured in a Brazoswood football uniform with a family member before his death in Lake Jackson. — John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., 18, pictured in a Brazoswood football uniform. Mendoza was fatally shot on June 1, 2026, after a pursuit ended at his family’s Lake Jackson home. Photo courtesy of the Mendoza family.

Attorney Charles Adams, who represents Mendoza’s family, has said surveillance video shows Tippit fired within seconds of getting out of his patrol vehicle.

Adams has also said Mendoza and the other occupants were unarmed. Those details came from the family’s attorney and should not be confused with an official finding by investigators.

The Texas Rangers later obtained a search warrant as they investigated the shooting. Court documents showed investigators were examining several possible offenses, including manslaughter, criminally negligent homicide and aggravated assault by a public servant.

Brazoria County Sheriff Fired Kevin Tippit

Kevin Tippit pictured with Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman during a Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office ceremony. — Former Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Tippit, left, pictured with Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman during a department ceremony. Tippit was later fired following the fatal shooting of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. in Lake Jackson.

Eight days after the shooting, Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman fired Tippit on June 9, 2026.

Stallman said an internal investigation found Tippit violated department policies involving the handling and discharge of his firearm.

The sheriff stressed that Tippit’s termination was an administrative decision separate from the criminal investigation being conducted by the Texas Rangers and Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office.

Tippit had served as a Brazoria County deputy since July 2024 after previously working as a jailer.

Kevin Tippit Faces Up to Life in Prison

The charge carries potentially severe consequences.

The Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office says aggravated assault by a public servant in this case constitutes a first-degree felony.

If convicted, Tippit could receive a sentence ranging from five to 99 years or life in prison.

A conviction and sentence are not predetermined. The prosecution must prove the criminal charge in court.

John Mendoza Jr. Case Enters New Stage

John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. pictured in a Brazoswood High School football uniform.

The criminal charge marks a significant development in a case that has drawn attention across Brazoria County since the June shooting.

Mendoza’s family has repeatedly called for transparency and accountability while the Texas Rangers investigated what happened.

Now, more than two months after Mendoza’s death, the former deputy who fired the fatal shot is facing a first-degree felony charge.

This remains a developing story. Investigator Reporter Tammy Rose will continue following the criminal case and any new court filings or hearings involving Kevin Tippit.

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John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation

The John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. investigation continues to raise new questions after newly released Texas Attorney General state reports provided additional details about the fatal June 1 shooting in Lake Jackson. The documents describe the same incident but use different wording in several key sections.

The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office submitted both a Custodial Death Report and a Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report to the Texas Attorney General. While the Texas Rangers continue investigating the John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. case, the newly released records highlight differences in how the incident was documented.

Both reports describe the same incident. However, they use different wording in several sections while the Texas Rangers continue their investigation.

John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Investigation: Reports Describe the Same Incident

Both reports identify Mendoza as the 18-year-old who died after a deputy attempted a traffic stop that ended at a residence on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson.

According to the records, Mendoza drove into a garage attached to a home after deputies attempted to stop him.

The reports state the deputy was on duty and involved in a pursuit after Mendoza allegedly failed to stop.

Custodial Death Report Lists Homicide

Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report identifying John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. and listing the official manner and cause of death in the Lake Jackson investigation. — **The Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report identifies John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. and includes the official manner and cause of death submitted by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.**

The Custodial Death Report lists the manner of death as:

Homicide (includes Justifiable Homicide).

Medical examiners use that classification when one person causes another person’s death. The classification does not determine whether a crime occurred or whether criminal charges are appropriate.

The report lists the medical cause of death as a gunshot wound that entered through the left upper extremity into the torso.

It also identifies the weapon as a handgun.

Incident Summary Uses the Word “Discharged”

Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report summary describing the fatal shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. and stating that the deputy’s firearm discharged while approaching the driver. — The incident summary in the Texas Attorney General Custodial Death Report states that the deputy’s firearm discharged while approaching John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. The report does not explain what caused the firearm to discharge.

One section of the Custodial Death Report states:

“When entering the garage approaching the driver, the deputy’s firearm discharged and a bullet struck the driver.”

The report does not explain why the firearm discharged or whether investigators have determined if the discharge was intentional, accidental, or the result of another circumstance.

Reports Use Different Language About a Weapon

Texas Attorney General Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report stating that John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon during the incident. — A separate Texas Attorney General report states that John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. “carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.” The report does not identify the weapon or explain why this wording differs from the Custodial Death Report.

One section of the Custodial Death Report asks whether Mendoza displayed or used a weapon during the incident.

The answer listed is:

Unknown.

However, the separate Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report includes a different description.

That report states the injured or deceased person:

“Carried, exhibited, or used a deadly weapon.”

Neither report explains the apparent difference in wording or identifies the weapon referenced in that section.

The records also do not describe when investigators reached those conclusions or whether additional evidence remains under review.

Deputy Was Not Responding to a Call

The Peace Officer Involved Injuries or Death Report states the deputy was not responding to a call for service when the incident began.

Instead, the report states the encounter occurred during a pursuit involving a suspect who was allegedly evading arrest or detention using a motor vehicle.

The report identifies the deputy as a 29-year-old male who was on duty at the time of the shooting.

Investigation Continues

John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. poses in his Brazoswood High School football uniform with a family member before his death. — John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. is pictured in his Brazoswood High School football uniform before the June 1, 2026, incident in Lake Jackson. The Texas Rangers continue to investigate the fatal deputy-involved shooting.

The Custodial Death Report states emergency personnel treated Mendoza before transporting him to a local hospital, where he later died.

The report also confirms that the Texas Rangers, working with the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office, continue investigating the shooting.

Neither report reaches a conclusion about criminal responsibility or explains what caused the deputy’s firearm to discharge.

As the investigation moves forward, the newly released state records answer some questions while raising others about the events inside the garage on June 1.

Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose contacted the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office for comment regarding the newly released state records. No response had been received at the time of publication.

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Related Coverage

Texas Rangers affidavit and scanner audio timeline

Deputy fired following policy violations

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Tag Archives: John Gabriel Mendoza Jr.

Kevin Tippit Charged in Fatal Shooting of John Mendoza Jr.