Brazoria County court records show a Feb. 1, 2027 trial date in the criminal case against former deputy Kevin Daniel Tippit. Mugshot photo credit: Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
Kevin Tippit trial date set in Brazoria County
Court records show prosecutors filed the case against Tippit on Aug. 6, 2026, in Brazoria County’s 239th District Court.
The docket lists several hearings before the scheduled trial:
Sept. 29, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. — Status hearing
Oct. 28, 2026 at 9 a.m. — Pretrial hearing
Jan. 21, 2027 at 9 a.m. — Announcement hearing
Feb. 1, 2027 at 9 a.m. — Trial
The court entered an Order for Pretrial Hearing and Setting Case for Trial on Aug. 12.
The February date remains the current trial setting. Court schedules can change as the case moves forward.
Former deputy released on bond
Texas Rangers arrested Tippit on Aug. 11.
Brazoria County court records show the judge set his bond at $250,000. Tippit later posted bond and was released from jail.
The court docket lists defense attorneys Guy L. Womack and Geoff L. Womack.
John Mendoza died after June police pursuit
John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., 18, was a Texas State University student who died following the June 1, 2026 shooting involving former Brazoria County deputy Kevin Daniel Tippit.
The criminal case stems from the June 1, 2026 shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr.
Mendoza was 18 and attended Texas State University.
The incident began with a pursuit in Lake Jackson. The chase ended when Mendoza reached his home and pulled into the garage.
Tippit fired through the driver’s side window.
Radio traffic following the shooting captured Tippit reporting an “accidental discharge.”
Mendoza later died.
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office fired Tippit days after the shooting.
The Texas Rangers later investigated the case.
Grand jury indicted Kevin Tippit
Former Brazoria County Sheriff’s Deputy Kevin Daniel Tippit faces a charge of aggravated assault by a public servant in connection with the June 1, 2026 shooting of John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. Photo credit: Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office.
A Brazoria County grand jury indicted Tippit on the charge of aggravated assault by a public servant.
Court records identify the charge under Texas Penal Code 22.02(b)(2)(A) and classify it as a first-degree felony.
The case number is 106968-CR.
The next hearing is currently scheduled for Sept. 29.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose will continue following the case and any changes to the trial schedule.
If you’re traveling to Brazoria County for a court hearing, trial or visit, you can compare nearby hotel options through Hotels.com. Staying close to Angleton can make early court mornings a little easier.
Traveling to Brazoria County? Visitors can find hotels and vacation rentals near Angleton, Lake Jackson and the surrounding Gulf Coast area.
If you’re heading to Brazoria County, a few simple travel essentials can make the trip easier. I also share useful travel gear through my Amazon affiliate links.
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
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., 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
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
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.
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
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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A comparison graphic highlights questions raised after Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose compared scanner audio obtained shortly after the June 1 officer-involved shooting with a recently released Texas Ranger affidavit. The article includes the affidavit and scanner audio so readers can review the evidence themselves.
Scanner Audio Raises New Questions After Release of Texas Ranger Affidavit
By Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose
Scanner audio obtained by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose shortly after the June 1 officer-involved shooting is raising new questions after being compared with a recently released Texas Ranger search warrant affidavit.
The affidavit states investigators reviewed Deputy Kevin Tippit’s dash camera and body camera before preparing the search warrant. According to the document, the pursuit reached speeds of approximately 120 mph after Tippit activated his emergency lights and siren.
However, after reviewing all scanner traffic I was able to obtain beginning at midnight on June 1, the first pursuit-related radio traffic I located begins at approximately 12:08 a.m.
The scanner audio and the affidavit are both included below so readers can review the evidence for themselves.
What the Scanner Audio Reveals
The scanner traffic begins with officers discussing a pursuit involving a Dodge Challenger.
During the transmissions, officers can be heard reporting speeds of about 60 mph. Later, as the pursuit entered a residential neighborhood, officers reported speeds closer to 30 mph.
The scanner audio also captures Deputy Tippit reporting what he described as an “accidental discharge.”
Moments later, dispatch clarified there was a gunshot victim. Emergency crews requested a trauma kit and a tourniquet before CPR efforts began.
What the Texas Ranger Affidavit Says
The Texas Ranger affidavit describes a different timeline.
According to the affidavit, Deputy Tippit observed the Challenger around 12:06 a.m. on FM 2004. After activating his emergency lights and siren, investigators say the Challenger accelerated and reached approximately 120 mph while running six red lights.
The affidavit states the pursuit ended at a home on Indian Warrior Trail. Deputy Tippit entered the garage, discharged his firearm, and later radioed dispatch reporting an accidental discharge before rendering aid.
Why the Timeline Matters
The scanner audio reviewed by Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose does not include pursuit traffic before approximately 12:08 a.m.
That does not necessarily mean the affidavit is incorrect.
Instead, it raises several important questions.
Additional radio traffic may have occurred on another channel that was not included in the scanner recordings available for review.
The times listed in the affidavit may also be approximate.
It is also possible investigators reconstructed the timeline using dash camera and body camera footage instead of scanner traffic.
How Was 120 MPH Determined?
Another unanswered question involves the reported speed.
The affidavit states investigators observed the pursuit on dash camera video. However, the document does not explain how the 120 mph figure was determined.
It is unclear whether investigators relied on the patrol vehicle’s speedometer, video analysis, onboard vehicle data, or another investigative method.
Additional records may answer that question in the future.
Read the Documents and Listen to the Audio
For transparency, I have included both the Texas Ranger affidavit and the scanner audio below.
I encourage readers to review both pieces of evidence and draw their own conclusions.
As more records become public, including dash camera video, body camera footage, dispatch logs, CAD records, and forensic reports, they may provide additional context about the timeline and the reported speeds.
Editor’s Note:The scanner audio included below reflects the recordings Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose was able to obtain. Additional law enforcement communications or evidence not included in those recordings may exist and could provide additional context.
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John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. in a family photo. The 18-year-old Texas State University student died following a deputy-involved shooting in Lake Jackson on June 1, 2026.
Deputy Fired: What’s Next in the John Mendoza Jr. Shooting Investigation?
The firing of former Brazoria County Deputy Kevin Tippit has answered one question in the shooting death of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., but many others remain.
Sheriff Bo Stallman announced June 9 that Tippit was terminated following an internal review that found policy violations related to the handling and discharge of his firearm. The decision came just days after the June 1 shooting that left Mendoza dead in Lake Jackson.
While Tippit’s employment with the sheriff’s office has ended, the criminal investigation is far from over.
Why Was Deputy Kevin Tippit Fired?
Deputy Kevin Tippit shakes hands with Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman during a Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office ceremony.
According to Sheriff Stallman, Tippit was fired after an internal review found violations of department policy involving the handling and discharge of his firearm.
The sheriff emphasized that the termination was an administrative decision and separate from the ongoing criminal investigation.
The firing does not determine whether any criminal charges will be filed. That decision will be made through the criminal justice process after investigators complete their work.
What Happened to John Mendoza Jr.?
Authorities say the incident began shortly after midnight on June 1 when a Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to stop a vehicle near FM 2004 and This Way Street in Lake Jackson.
The encounter ended in the 100 block of Indian Warrior Trail, where John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., an 18-year-old Texas State University student, suffered a gunshot wound and later died.
The Texas Rangers were called in to conduct an independent investigation into the shooting.
What Are the Texas Rangers Investigating?
The Texas Rangers are responsible for reviewing all evidence connected to the shooting.
Their investigation is expected to include:
Body camera footage Radio traffic Witness statements Physical evidence Firearm evidence Forensic testing Autopsy results
Investigators will work to determine exactly what happened and whether any criminal laws were violated.
Once the investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to prosecutors for review.
The Case Will Go Before a Grand Jury
Brazoria County Criminal District Attorney Tom Selleck has already confirmed the completed investigation will be presented to a grand jury.
A grand jury reviews evidence presented by prosecutors and determines whether criminal charges should be filed.
Grand jurors do not decide guilt or innocence. Instead, they decide whether sufficient evidence exists to move the case forward.
Possible outcomes include:
No criminal charges Criminal charges filed Requests for additional investigation
Grand jury proceedings are conducted in secret under Texas law.
How Long Could the Investigation Take?
Officials have not provided a timeline for when the investigation will be completed.
However, District Attorney Tom Selleck has indicated that forensic testing and other investigative steps could take several months.
Complex officer-involved shooting investigations often require extensive evidence review before prosecutors are prepared to present a case to a grand jury.
What Happens Next?
With Deputy Kevin Tippit no longer employed by the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, attention now turns to the criminal investigation.
The Texas Rangers continue gathering evidence and reviewing the circumstances surrounding the shooting death of John Mendoza Jr.
Once that process is complete, prosecutors will present the findings to a grand jury, which will determine whether criminal charges are warranted.
Until then, Mendoza’s family, investigators, and the community continue waiting for answers.
Conclusion
The firing of former Deputy Kevin Tippit marks a significant development in the John Mendoza Jr. shooting investigation, but it is not the final chapter.
The Texas Rangers investigation remains active, and the case is expected to be presented to a grand jury once investigators complete their review.
Investigative Reporter Tammy Rose will continue following the case and provide updates as new information becomes available.
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Sheriff announces termination of Deputy Kevin Tippit
The Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office has terminated Deputy Kevin Tippit following an internal review related to the fatal shooting of 18-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr. in Lake Jackson.
In a video statement released Tuesday, Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman announced the termination of Deputy Kevin Tippit for policy violations related to the handling and discharge of his firearm. Additionally, Stallman said the administrative action is separate from the ongoing criminal investigation. The Texas Rangers and the Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office continue to investigate the case.
Shooting remains under investigation
The shooting happened June 1 after a pursuit ended at Mendoza’s home on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson.
Mendoza died after the encounter.
Officials have not released additional details about the policy violations that led to Tippit’s termination.
The case remains the subject of multiple investigations.
Attorney questions official account
Attorney Charles Adams, who represents the Mendoza family, recently released a five-page letter challenging statements made by law enforcement officials.
Adams alleges Mendoza was shot about seven seconds after the pursuit ended.
He is also calling for the release of body camera footage, dash camera video, and other evidence connected to the incident.
Adams argues key questions remain unanswered as the investigation continues.
