Search fatalities

Austin saw a disabled vehicle on the roadside and stopped. They saw a man with a knife. He walked toward police. They shot and killed him.

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/austin-police-provide-update-on-fatal-officer-involved-shooting

https://www.austintexas.gov/news/apd-investigating-officer-involved-shooting-june-12-2022

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/apd-provides-update-on-police-shooting-in-north-austin/

DPS chased a woman who was traveling east on IH 20 near MP 536, and exited onto the service road near CR 4414 where she crashed into a tree in the grassy area and the car caught on fire, killing her.

https://www.kltv.com/2022/06/07/woman-dies-crash-during-chase-with-van-zandt-county-law-enforcement/

https://www.thestate.com/news/state/south-carolina/article262235502.html

On 06/06/2022, Houston Police Department officers responded to a domestic disturbance call at 9127 St Laurent Lane. Officers located Lorenzo White, 28, inside the residence. Police stated White was holding a firearm during the encounter. Officers opened fire and shot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Houston Police Department Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office initiated parallel reviews, as required under Houston officer-involved shooting protocol.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/06/07/man-shot-killed-by-houston-police-on-st-laurent-lane/
https://abc13.com/houston-police-officer-involved-shooting-st-laurent-lane/
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/Houston-police-shooting-St-Laurent-Lane-17223445.php

Police investigated a report of someone firing shots from an allegedly stolen vehicle. Police tried to traffic stop the vehicle and allege that Andre Hernandez Junior bumped into the officers’ car. They shot and killed him.

On 06/02/2022, Garland Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop in the 6200 block of Broadway Boulevard. Officers identified the driver as Juan Carlos Lopez, 39. During the stop, police stated Lopez exited the vehicle and produced a handgun. Officers opened fire and shot him. Officers pronounced him dead at the scene. Police recovered a firearm from the scene. The Texas Rangers assumed control of the investigation in accordance with standard officer-involved shooting protocol.

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/man-shot-killed-by-garland-police/
https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/crime/garland-police-officer-involved-shooting-broadway-boulevard/
https://www.fox4news.com/news/garland-police-officer-involved-shooting-broadway-boulevard

Gonzalo Lopez allegedly escaped from a prison bus and may have killed several people. Police chased him used spike strips and when he got out of the vehicle, he was armed. Police shot and killed him.

https://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/bodies-of-two-adults-and-three-children-discovered-near-where-texas-inmate-escaped-local-san-antonio-texas

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/02/us/texas-escaped-inmate-gonzalo-lopez.html

https://www.q13fox.com/news/escaped-inmate-gonzalo-lopez-captured-moments-after-killing-houston-area-family-of-5-in-leon-county

Lovelies responded to a domestic disturbance. The man had a lift and police found him again during an alleged theft call. He fled again and was stopped by police. Police alleged that he ran toward them with a machete. They shot and killed him.

https://www.everythinglubbock.com/news/local-news/lpd-man-shot-injured-in-officer-involved-shooting-pronounced-dead/

Austin PD were sent to a 911 call for a man and claim someone was pointing a gun. When police arrived, they found only Robert Hammett fired shots at them. They shot killed him. All five shooter officers were cleared.

https://youtu.be/DaoUG510NfQ

https://www.kxan.com/news/crime/police-on-scene-of-officer-involved-shooting-in-southeast-austin/

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/06/01/austin-police-fatal-shooting-details-identify-man-robert-hammitt/7467159001/

https://www.kvue.com/article/news/local/apd-police-shooting-video-release-belara-austin/269-b2bd0a81-1ebd-4cf2-86bf-9599d3615d49

https://cbsaustin.com/news/local/grand-jury-declines-to-indict-officers-in-fatal-se-austin-shooting

Bodycam:
https://www.kvue.com/article/news/police/grand-jury-clears-austin-police-baroody-buck-camp-molina-klinger-hammitt/269-bb0b92e1-5571-47ce-8d0e-3d2b5720054f

On 05/25/2022, Houston Police Department officers responded to the 10800 block of Cora Street after reports of a disturbance involving an armed man. Officers encountered the man outside a residence. Police reported he displayed a firearm during the encounter. Officers discharged their firearms and shot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Harris County District Attorney’s Office and HPD Internal Affairs Division opened an investigation.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/05/25/man-shot-killed-by-houston-police-officers/
https://abc13.com/houston-police-shooting-cora-street/

On 05/24/2022, law enforcement responded to Robb Elementary School at 715 Old Carrizo Road after Salvador Rolando Ramos, 18, entered the campus armed with a rifle and began shooting inside connected fourth-grade classrooms. Nineteen children and two teachers were killed. Officers from Uvalde CISD Police initially entered the building and retreated after gunfire. Multiple agencies, including Texas DPS and U.S. Border Patrol tactical agents, responded and remained in the hallway for more than an hour while students and teachers were trapped inside. A U.S. Border Patrol BORTAC team ultimately breached the classroom door and opened fire, killing Ramos. Subsequent state and federal reviews sharply criticized the delayed law enforcement response, command failures, and breakdown in communication. Body camera footage and hallway surveillance video were later released, and investigations documented systemic leadership and tactical failures during the incident.

https://www.texastribune.org/2022/05/24/uvalde-texas-school-shooting/
https://www.cnn.com/2022/05/24/us/uvalde-texas-school-shooting/index.html
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/texas-elementary-school-shooting-uvalde-rcna30237
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-releases-critical-incident-review-uvalde-school-shooting

Hitchcock police attempted to stop a motorcyclist for speeding on FM 519 near the Hitchcock-La Marque city limits, causing it to crash. The unnamed driver died.

https://www.galvnews.com/news/police/free/article_d4116bf1-41dc-54d7-ad14-e2c1b18e2cfe.html

Texas DPS and a SWAT team visited the home of Larry Wolfenbarger with warrants to arrest him for kidnapping and rape of an adult female. Police alleged that he came out of the residence with a weapon and they shot and killed him.

https://sports.yahoo.com/cooke-co-sheriff-says-suspect-195400131.html

https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/texas/texas-man-who-allegedly-kidnapped-sexually-assaulted-woman-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting

San Antonio PD were sent to the 400 block of Delmar for a domestic assault. Police arrived and found Janet Silva outside with a knife. Police fired a taser at her, then shot and killed her.

https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2022/05/23/sapd-releases-identities-of-woman-killed-officer-who-shot-her-outside-east-side-home/

https://foxsanantonio.com/newsletter-daily/argument-between-couple-turns-fatal-as-police-used-deadly-force-on-girlfriend-local-san-antonio-texas-bexar-county

On 05/19/2022, Fort Worth Police Department officers responded to Lockheed Blvd and TX-341 Spur during an investigation involving a reported armed individual. Officers encountered Richard Bains and opened fire, striking and killing him at the scene. The Texas Rangers led the independent investigation into the shooting.

https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/crime/article261595557.html

Pasadena PD arrived to talk to Samuel Frias. They found him in the parking lot and claim that he fled and pointed a gun. Police shot and killed him.

https://abc13.com/pasadena-police-shoot-and-kill-suspect-felony-aggravated-assault-warrant-deadly-shooting-seabrook-shots-fired/11873007/

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/pasadena-police-officers-fatally-shoot-man-seabrook-repsdorph

Houston PD were called to a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, Devon Nnawuchi had already left. Police claim that he had stolen a vehicle and they began chasing him. Police claim that he drove into their patrol car, got out and fired shots at them. They shot and killed him.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-devens-funeral-expences

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/05/19/officer-involved-shooting-leaves-1-suspect-injured-in-ne-houston-hpd-says/

https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/suspect-shot-by-officer-houston/285-2f7ed7d0-1fdc-48b7-9092-7696061efbb3

https://abc13.com/deven-nnawuchi-body-camera-video-houston-crime/11971633/

REASON FOR CHASE: No conventional pursuit was reported. Lubbock police responded to reports of a vehicle traveling the wrong direction on Marsha Sharp Freeway. An off-duty Lubbock police officer located the vehicle, activated her emergency lights and siren and attempted to get the driver's attention while additional officers positioned themselves ahead of the vehicle in an effort to stop it.
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NARRATIVE:
On 05/16/2022, 29-year-old Jimmy Lopez was killed when his vehicle collided head-on with an SUV on Parkway Drive in Lubbock while police were attempting to intercept and stop his wrong-way vehicle.
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At approximately 12:10 a.m., Lubbock police received reports of a vehicle traveling east in the westbound lanes of Marsha Sharp Freeway near Upland Avenue. An off-duty Lubbock police officer located the vehicle and activated her emergency lights and siren in an attempt to get the driver's attention.
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At approximately 12:14 a.m., the officer notified dispatch and exited at West Loop 289 before re-entering Marsha Sharp Freeway in the eastbound lanes in an effort to intercept Lopez. Additional officers responded from both directions and began positioning themselves to deploy measures intended to stop the vehicle.
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At approximately 12:21 a.m., before officers were able to deploy those measures, Lopez's vehicle collided head-on with a westbound SUV in the 100 block of Parkway Drive near Joyland. Approximately 11 minutes elapsed between the initial report of the wrong-way vehicle and the fatal collision.
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Lopez, who was alone in his vehicle, died at the scene. The 34-year-old driver of the SUV and an 8-year-old boy suffered serious injuries. A 31-year-old woman sustained minor injuries, while girls ages 14 and 7 suffered moderate injuries. All five occupants of the SUV survived.
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The available police account describes officers attempting to intercept the wrong-way vehicle and position themselves ahead of it rather than pursuing immediately behind it. No conventional police vehicle pursuit was documented before the fatal collision.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Lubbock Police Department did not publicly identify the off-duty officer who first attempted to stop Lopez or the additional officers who responded and attempted to intercept his vehicle.
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https://www.kcbd.com/2022/05/16/6-injured-police-chase-that-ended-head-on-crash/

Euless PD tried to traffic-stop a Ford Focus with expired plates, but the driver did not stop. Police claim they did not chase the vehicle but somehow managed to be right behind the car when it exploded into a fireball during a crash when the driver fled police. The driver of the bystander vehicle that had been hit by the police chase crash was a female who died as a result. Police did not name her.

https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/local/euless-south-main-boulevard-driver-killed-chase-suspect-crashes-into-them-fort-worth-texas/287-8a5ee100-9bf8-4ab8-a9a0-af85210b3727

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gpi8x5k49Bg

Dashcam:
https://www.wfaa.com/video/news/local/dashcam-shows-deadly-crash-after-police-pursuit-in-euless-texas/287-a05cd6c4-1910-4b2c-8790-ad6220fae10b

Lee County deputies and DPS arrived at a residence to serve a warrant for allegedly raping a child to Raul Vega Perez. Police got into a shootout and killed him.

https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/lee-county-investigating-officer-shooting/?ipid=promo-chartbeat-desktop

https://www.kwtx.com/2022/05/11/texas-deputies-shoot-kill-man-wanted-raping-child/

https://kwhi.com/2022/08/19/dime-box-woman-arrested-for-hindering-apprehension/

https://www.ktre.com/2022/05/11/texas-deputy-dps-trooper-kill-man-wanted-raping-child/

Euless police chased a vehicle for a registration violation at high speeds until the driver crashed, killing driver Melisa Mapa, a college student from Ireland.

https://her.ie/news/irishwoman-killed-texas-horror-car-chase-crash

NARRATIVE:
On 05/07/2022, 24-year-old Maddison Elyse Lassetter of Waco was killed when a McLennan County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle driven by Deputy James Robison struck her on Interstate 35 in Waco. The collision occurred at approximately 1:50 a.m. in the 3700 block of Jack Kultgen Expressway.
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According to the Waco Police Department, Lassetter was walking southbound in the middle of the outside traffic lane of Interstate 35 when Robison's patrol vehicle struck her. Robison was traveling to a call in Lorena at the time.
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Police said Robison stopped and immediately attempted CPR. Lassetter suffered fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.
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The southbound lanes of Interstate 35 between 18th Street and New Road were closed for several hours while Waco police investigated the collision. The roadway reopened at approximately 6:20 a.m.
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Waco police investigated the fatal collision. Contemporary reporting stated that no charges had been filed against Robison and that the investigation remained ongoing. I found no later public report establishing that Robison was criminally charged in Lassetter's death.
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A fundraiser established for Lassetter's family identified her as Maddison Elyse Lassetter and gave her birth date as October 14, 1997. Her family said she left behind two young children, her mother and her sister and described her as outgoing and loved by many family and friends.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
McLennan County Sheriff's Deputy James Robison was identified as the deputy who struck and killed Lassetter while responding to the call. Less than three months later, on 07/30/2022, Robison was involved in another fatal roadway incident when he pursued 32-year-old Kelvin Hubert after observing Hubert driving the wrong way on South 17th Street. The pursuit continued onto Interstate 35 at speeds exceeding 90 mph before Hubert crashed at the Moonlight Drive overpass and was killed. McLennan County Sheriff Parnell McNamara subsequently said he did not intend to review the department's high-speed pursuit policies.
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https://www.kwtx.com/2022/05/07/police-identify-waco-woman-struck-killed-by-mclennan-county-sheriffs-deputy-responding-call/
https://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/1-dead-after-being-hit-mclennan-county-sheriffs-deputy-vehicle-waco-police
https://www.kxxv.com/hometown/mclennan-county/gofundme-launched-for-waco-woman-fatally-struck-by-mclennan-county-sheriffs-deputy
https://www.kcentv.com/article/news/local/police-release-identity-woman-allegedly-killed-after-being-hit-by-deputy-while-walking-on-i-35/500-377f7d25-4073-499d-a5d0-9fffdd527b41
https://www.gofundme.com/f/maddison-elyse-lassetter
https://www.facebook.com/WacoPoliceDepartment/posts/fatality-crash-update-8122-the-driver-who-died-in-the-crash-has-been-identified-/424040499761024/
https://www.kwtx.com/2022/08/03/mclennan-county-sheriff-no-plan-review-high-speed-chase-policies-following-fiery-crash/

Police received about a shooting and a man armed with an "AK-style rifle." When police arrived, Henry Tolentino allegedly fired at officers. He retreated into the woods and died from suicide under police distress. He had been a veteran with PTSD.

https://www.kxan.com/news/local/williamson-county/sister-of-round-rock-gunman-he-was-a-veteran-struggling-with-mental-health-ptsd/

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/round-rock-police-identifies-suspect-old-settlers-blvd-shootout

https://www.statesman.com/story/news/2022/05/13/round-rock-shooter-did-not-plan-police-confrontation-not-villain/9716762002/

Sugarland PD received a call that someone was trying to steal a catalytic converter. Police chased the man and claim he had a gun. They shot and killed him.

https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/crime/article/Sugarland-PD-Alleged-catalytic-converter-suspect-17153749.php

https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/officer-involved-shooting-with-catalytic-converter-theft-suspect-sugar-land-texas/285-0c00d88d-490a-406b-8708-a02dc14387af

https://abc13.com/man-shot-and-killed-by-sugar-land-police-catalytic-converter-theft-suspect-fatal-shooting-officer-shoots/11822991/

Midland police responded to an unknown call and shot and killed David Deaton but did not disclose any more information.

https://www.yourbasin.com/news/texas-rangers-investigating-officer-involved-shooting/

https://www.mrt.com/news/local/article/MPD-Officer-involved-shooting-happens-in-North-17141999.php

Police were sent to a disturbance call where George Gordon allegedly made threats. It is unclear what the nature of these threats were. Police attacked him with a taser and fired beanbags and he died shortly after arrest. Police also claim that he had had a knife on him, but did not claim that he had tried to use it. His cause of death is unknown and likely related to tasering.

https://www.fox4news.com/news/man-dies-after-azle-pd-officers-use-less-lethal-options-to-arrest-him

https://www.921hankfm.com/2022/05/02/azle-man-dies-after-violent-encounter-with-police/

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/azle-man-dies-after-officers-used-less-lethal-force-during-incident-police/2957761/

REASON FOR CHASE: Progreso police initiated the pursuit after stopping a Ford Explorer on suspicion of DWI. The driver drove away from the traffic stop, and Progreso officers pursued the Explorer into Weslaco.
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/30/2022, 18-year-old Jaime Elias Garcia of Progreso was killed when a Ford Explorer being pursued by Progreso police crashed into his Kia Optima at FM 1015 and 18th Street in Weslaco. Garcia was not involved in the police encounter that initiated the pursuit.
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Progreso police had stopped the Explorer on suspicion that its driver was intoxicated. The driver subsequently drove away from the traffic stop, and officers initiated a pursuit that continued north into Weslaco.
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At approximately 7:30 p.m., the pursued Explorer approached the intersection of FM 1015 and 18th Street at approximately 90 mph and crashed into Garcia’s Kia. The force of the collision pushed Garcia’s vehicle into opposing traffic, where it was struck by a Honda Pilot.
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Garcia suffered fatal injuries and died at the crash scene. The occupants of the Honda Pilot were injured and transported to a hospital.
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Garcia was an 18-year-old Mercedes High School student who was preparing to graduate. His family said he had enlisted in the United States Navy and planned to begin his military service after graduation. He was remembered by his school community following his death.
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The driver of the pursued vehicle survived and was arrested. Prosecutors charged her with murder, intoxication manslaughter and evading arrest or detention causing death. She subsequently pleaded guilty. In 2024, a judge sentenced her to 25 years in prison for Garcia’s death.
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The available verified public reporting does not provide the total distance or duration of the Progreso police pursuit.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Progreso Police Department did not publicly identify the officer who conducted the initial DWI traffic stop or the officers who subsequently participated in the pursuit in the verified sources located. The available reporting does not indicate that any pursuing officer was criminally charged for the decision to initiate or continue the pursuit.
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https://www.krgv.com/videos/woman-sentenced-to-25-years-in-drunk-driving-crash-that-killed-a-progreso-teen
https://www.krgv.com/news/18-year-old-killed-in-weslaco-crash-remembered-by-family/
https://www.thebentonlawfirm.com/blog/jaime-garcia-killed-in-multi-vehicle-crash-on-fm-1015-at-18th-street-in-weslaco/

Police tried to serve a warrant on Jalen Randle. They chased him by car which crashed, and when he fled on foot, police fired bullets at him from behind and killed him. He allegedly had a gun in a bag with him, but did not hold it or threaten anyone with it.

https://atlantablackstar.com/2022/05/28/no-time-to-comply-bodycam-footage-captures-houston-cop-yelling-for-jalen-randle-to-show-his-hands-fatally-shooting-him-almost-simultaneously-before-reacting-in-surprise/

https://abc13.com/houston-crime-man-shot-killed-by-hpd-jalen-randle/11891084/
https://news.yahoo.com/newly-released-video-shows-moment-jalen-randle-was-fatally-shot-by-houston-cop-194542348.html

https://www.khou.com/article/news/crime/jalen-randle-shooting-protest-ogg/285-9b16a351-842b-40e7-b4c3-e4254e19454b

https://atlantablackstar.com/2022/05/28/no-time-to-comply-bodycam-footage

Amarillo PD traffic-stopped Ernesto Peña and claim that he had a gun. An officer shot and killed him.

https://www.newschannel10.com/2022/04/26/amarillo-police-identify-suspect-killed-officer-involved-shooting/

https://www.amarillo.com/story/news/2022/04/26/mondays-officer-involved-shooting-suspect-identified/9540580002/

Police received a call that Kelvin Armstrong was armed and demanding the keys to a nearby business. Police arrived and saw him driving away. Police escalated a chase and then put down spike strips which stopped the vehicle. Armstrong ran and police shot and killed him, claiming he had pointed a gun.

https://bluebonnetnews.com/2022/04/28/man-killed-following-chase-in-cleveland-now-identified/

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/cleveland-police-shoot-suspect-high-speed-chase

https://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/update-cleveland-police-officer-involved-shooting/

https://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/man-shot-and-killed-by-cleveland-police-identified/

A Harris County deputy chasing a teenager hit the vehicle of third party bystander Pedrie Wannenburg, a rugby player, killing him. Also in the car was Wannenburg's 8-year-old son who was taken by LifeFlight in critical condition with life-threatening injuries.

https://abc13.com/pedrie-wannenburg-rugby-car-crash-police-chase-greenhouse/11782759/

https://www.khou.com/article/news/local/three-vehicle-wreck-northwest-harris-county-cy-fair/285-0bebad86-9ca0-4d89-b7e7-aa50f429ed1b

REASON FOR CHASE: Passenger killed during pursuit initiated after a Medina County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a Chevrolet pickup for a lane violation on Interstate 35.
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/24/2022, Romando Tapia Flores was critically injured while riding in a Chevrolet pickup driven by Joseph Alex Hernandez during a Medina County Sheriff’s Office pursuit that began in Medina County and ended with a rollover crash in Bexar County. Tapia Flores subsequently died from his injuries.
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Deputy Ricardo Delgado attempted to stop the pickup on Interstate 35 for a lane violation near Exit 125. Hernandez initially pulled over, but after one passenger got out and ran, Hernandez drove away and deputies pursued him toward San Antonio.
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The pursuit covered approximately 12 miles and seven minutes, with Hernandez reaching approximately 90 to 100 mph. During the pursuit he repeatedly crossed the grassy median between the highway and access road and ran a red light. A supervisor eventually instructed deputies to fall back and monitor the pickup.
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Near Exit 137 in Bexar County, a rear tire failed. Hernandez lost control and the pickup struck a grassy berm and rolled multiple times, ejecting most of its occupants. Three passengers were airlifted and the others were transported by ambulance.
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Tapia Flores and fellow passenger Manuel de Jesus Aparicio Trejo died at hospitals from their injuries in the days following the crash. Both men were from Mexico.
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Hernandez pleaded guilty to conspiracy to transport undocumented immigrants resulting in death and being a felon in possession of a firearm. On 04/04/2024, he was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Medina County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ricardo Delgado, then a patrol deputy, testified in the later federal case that he initiated the traffic stop and participated in the pursuit.
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https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/austin-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-smuggling-attempt-resulted-migrant-deaths
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/austin-man-gets-16-years-deadly-police-chase-19385664.php
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/04/04/man-sentenced-to-16-years-in-federal-prison-for-fatal-migrant-smuggling-attempt-in-medina-county/

REASON FOR CHASE: Passenger killed during pursuit initiated after a Medina County sheriff’s deputy attempted to stop a Chevrolet pickup for a lane violation on Interstate 35.
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/24/2022, Manuel de Jesus Aparicio Trejo was critically injured while riding in a Chevrolet pickup during a Medina County Sheriff’s Office pursuit that began near Exit 125 on Interstate 35 and continued approximately 12 miles into Bexar County.
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The pursuit lasted approximately seven minutes and reached approximately 90 to 100 mph. A supervisor eventually instructed deputies to fall back and monitor the pickup.
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Near Exit 137, a rear tire failed and the pickup crashed into a grassy berm and rolled repeatedly. Most of the occupants were ejected. Aparicio Trejo was among those critically injured and transported to a hospital.
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Aparicio Trejo and Romando Tapia Flores subsequently died from their injuries. Contemporary reports initially described everyone as injured; federal prosecution records later confirmed that two passengers died several days after the crash.
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The driver, Joseph Alex Hernandez, pleaded guilty in federal court and was sentenced on 04/04/2024 to 192 months — 16 years — in federal prison for the smuggling conspiracy resulting in death.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Medina County Sheriff’s Sgt. Ricardo Delgado, then a patrol deputy, was identified in later federal court proceedings as the deputy who attempted the initial traffic stop and participated in the pursuit.
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https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/austin-man-sentenced-16-years-prison-smuggling-attempt-resulted-migrant-deaths
https://www.expressnews.com/news/article/austin-man-gets-16-years-deadly-police-chase-19385664.php
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2024/04/04/man-sentenced-to-16-years-in-federal-prison-for-fatal-migrant-smuggling-attempt-in-medina-county/

Pasadena PD were sent on a call for a man who was walking down the street with a gun. When police arrived, the man ran away and stepped into an intersection. Police claim that he turned toward them. They shot and killed him.

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/04/19/suspect-killed-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-pasadena-police-say/

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/pasadena-police-shooting-on-spencer-highway-stops-traffic

Conroe police were sent to a home in the 500 block of E. Phillips Street, because a man unknown to the residence was threatening them with a gun. Police claim that they arrived and the man was firing shots into the home. They shot and killed him.

https://abc13.com/conroe-police-shooting-officers-shoot-man-phillips-street-weapons-call/11768035/

REASON FOR CHASE: Not publicly disclosed. Conroe police pursued the vehicle northbound on State Highway 75 immediately before the fatal crash, but the verified public sources located do not state why police initially attempted to stop the driver.
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/15/2022, an unidentified male driver was killed when his vehicle crashed during a Conroe Police Department pursuit on State Highway 75 in Montgomery County.
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Shortly after 6 p.m., Conroe police were pursuing the vehicle northbound on State Highway 75. As the pursuit continued between Meador Road and FM 830, the vehicle left the roadway and crashed into a sign in front of a tire business.
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The driver was killed in the crash. Authorities closed State Highway 75 between Meador Road and FM 830 for several hours while investigators processed the scene. The roadway remained closed as of approximately 10 p.m. that evening.
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The fatal pursuit was subsequently included in the Houston Chronicle’s review of Houston-area police-pursuit deaths during 2022. The Chronicle independently documented that a man died in Conroe on April 15 after crashing while being pursued by police.
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A deep subsequent search did not locate a reliable public identification of the driver. Searches of later Conroe and Montgomery County reporting, the exact Highway 75 crash location and date, obituary and funeral-home records, social-media indexing and variations of the crash description did not produce an identity that could be defensibly connected to this fatal pursuit.
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The verified public record located for this review also does not disclose the reason Conroe police initiated the pursuit or provide a reliable maximum pursuit speed, distance or duration.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Conroe Police Department did not publicly identify the officer who initiated the pursuit or the other officer(s) who participated in the verified public sources located.
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https://montgomerycountypolicereporter.com/highway-75-remains-closed-after-pursuit-crash/
https://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Here-is-a-list-of-Houston-region-deaths-tied-to-17123752.php

REASON FOR CHASE: A U.S. Border Patrol agent initiated the pursuit after observing Garza’s white pickup on U.S. Highway 281 north of San Manuel and suspecting that it was being used for human smuggling. The agent followed the pickup while requesting records checks, then activated emergency lights and siren when attempting to stop it.
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/15/2022, 50-year-old Roman Garza Jr. of Harlingen was killed when the 2020 GMC Sierra he was driving rolled over during a pursuit involving U.S. Border Patrol and the Texas Department of Public Safety in Hidalgo County. A 24-year-old Honduran woman riding in the vehicle was also killed, and six other occupants survived with injuries.
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At approximately 7:46 p.m., a Border Patrol agent was parked in the median of U.S. Highway 281 north of San Manuel when the agent observed Garza’s pickup and suspected it was being used for human smuggling. The agent followed the truck while requesting records checks. At approximately 7:47 p.m., the agent activated emergency lights and siren and initiated the pursuit.
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The pickup traveled a short distance before crossing the highway median and continuing south. The Border Patrol agent reported the pickup traveling approximately 75 mph and notified a supervisory agent of the pursuit.
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At approximately 7:50 p.m., a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper encountered the pursuit near U.S. Highway 281 and El Rucio Road and took over as the primary pursuing vehicle. The Border Patrol agent continued behind the DPS unit.
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The pursuit continued for approximately 14.5 miles. At approximately 7:56 p.m., the pickup exited U.S. Highway 281 and continued east. The Border Patrol agent reported losing sight of the pickup but continuing to see the emergency lights of the pursuing DPS vehicle.
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At approximately 7:58 p.m., the Border Patrol agent saw the DPS trooper’s brake lights. Less than a minute later, the agent reached the crash site and found the pickup overturned.
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Garza died from his injuries. A 24-year-old Honduran woman was ejected from the vehicle and pinned beneath it and also died. Six additional occupants survived with non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to hospitals.
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Garza’s identity was confirmed by Texas DPS and independently corroborated by his obituary. Roman Garza Jr., 50, of Harlingen died Friday, 04/15/2022. Funeral arrangements were handled by McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco, with visitation on April 27 and funeral Mass on April 28 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Mercedes.
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The crash and pursuit were investigated by Texas DPS and Homeland Security Investigations and reviewed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Professional Responsibility. The Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General was also notified.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Border Patrol agent who initiated the pursuit and the Texas DPS trooper who became the primary pursuing officer were not publicly identified in the verified sources located.
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https://www.krgv.com/news/two-dead-multiple-injured-after-rollover-crash-in-hidalgo-county
https://sanangelolive.com/news/crime/2022-04-29/dps-investigates-fatal-crash-likely-human-traffickers
https://www.mccalebfuneralhome.com/obituaries/roman-garza-5/obituary
https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/valleystar/name/roman-garza-obituary?id=34338221
https://www.southernborder.org/deaths_by_border_patrol

REASON FOR CHASE: A U.S. Border Patrol agent initiated the pursuit after observing the pickup in which she was riding on U.S. Highway 281 north of San Manuel and suspecting that it was being used for human smuggling.
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NARRATIVE:
On 04/15/2022, an unidentified 24-year-old Honduran woman was killed when the pickup in which she was a passenger rolled over during a pursuit involving U.S. Border Patrol and Texas DPS in Hidalgo County. The driver, 50-year-old Roman Garza Jr. of Harlingen, was also killed, and six other occupants survived.
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At approximately 7:46 p.m., a Border Patrol agent observed the pickup on U.S. Highway 281 north of San Manuel and suspected it was being used for human smuggling. At approximately 7:47 p.m., the agent activated emergency lights and siren and initiated a pursuit.
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The pickup crossed the highway median and continued south. The Border Patrol agent reported a speed of approximately 75 mph. At approximately 7:50 p.m., a Texas DPS trooper took over as the primary pursuing vehicle near U.S. Highway 281 and El Rucio Road.
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The pursuit continued approximately 14.5 miles. At approximately 7:56 p.m., the pickup exited U.S. Highway 281 and continued east. Less than three minutes later, the vehicle crashed and rolled.
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The woman was ejected from the pickup and pinned beneath the overturned vehicle. She died from her injuries. Garza also died. Six other occupants survived and were transported to hospitals.
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Contemporary Texas DPS reporting identified her only as a 24-year-old woman from Honduras and said her identity was being withheld pending notification of next of kin. Later Border Patrol-fatality tracking still lists her as unknown, and I did not locate a later reliable public source that releases her name.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The U.S. Border Patrol agent who initiated the pursuit and the Texas DPS trooper who became the primary pursuing officer were not publicly identified in the verified sources located.
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https://www.krgv.com/news/two-dead-multiple-injured-after-rollover-crash-in-hidalgo-county
https://sanangelolive.com/news/crime/2022-04-29/dps-investigates-fatal-crash-likely-human-traffickers
https://www.southernborder.org/deaths_by_border_patrol

REASON FOR CHASE: An HPD traffic-enforcement officer attempted to stop a Dodge Charger after observing it being driven erratically and committing traffic violations in the 2900 block of South Gessner Road.
NARRATIVE:
On 04/15/2022, 31-year-old Hoang Tran was killed when a Dodge Charger being pursued by the Houston Police Department ran a red light and crashed into the white Toyota Camry Tran was driving at Hempstead Road and West Little York Road in northwest Houston. A 31-year-old woman riding with Tran was critically injured.
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Shortly after 6 p.m., an HPD traffic-enforcement officer observed the Charger being driven erratically and committing traffic violations in the 2900 block of South Gessner Road. The officer attempted a traffic stop, and the driver continued away. Police initiated a pursuit.
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The pursuit continued for approximately 10 minutes through Houston. Police said the Charger was traveling at such a high rate of speed that pursuing officers had fallen some distance behind it. Subsequent reporting documented speeds reaching approximately 100 mph
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The Charger continued north on Hempstead Road toward West Little York Road. At the intersection, the driver entered against a red traffic signal and struck Tran’s Camry. The impact caused a chain-reaction collision involving a Toyota RAV4, GMC Sierra and Chevrolet Silverado.
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Tran died at the crash scene. His 31-year-old female passenger suffered critical injuries and was transported to a hospital. The occupants of the other vehicles survived.
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The driver of the pursued vehicle survived. Houston police subsequently announced murder and aggravated-assault charges in connection with Tran’s death and his passenger’s injuries.
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Tran was not involved in the police encounter that initiated the pursuit. He was driving through the intersection with a passenger when the pursued vehicle struck his car.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
The Houston Police Department did not publicly identify the traffic-enforcement officer who initiated the attempted stop and pursuit or the other officers who participated in the verified sources located. The officers were not criminally charged for their role in initiating or continuing the pursuit.
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https://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2022/apr/nr220418-2.htm
https://abc13.com/police-chase-hempstead-highway-crash-west-little-york-murder-charge/11755349/
https://abc13.com/deadly-street-takeover-houston-police-chase-hoang-tran-killed-damian-west-charged/11763613/

On 04/09/2022, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to County Road 2108 near Rusk after receiving reports of an armed man outside a residence. Deputies located Scott Coe at the scene and engaged him outside the home. According to reporting, Coe displayed a firearm during the encounter. Deputies opened fire and shot him. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Texas Rangers conducted the investigation into the shooting.

https://www.kltv.com/2022/04/09/cherokee-county-officer-involved-shooting-under-investigation/
https://www.cbs19.tv/article/news/local/texas-rangers-investigating-officer-involved-shooting-cherokee-county/501-0f9a3f5a-3f0a-4a4c-9b5a-2b8f4d6f3c6a

Police arrived to confront Richard Nichols for allegedly disturbing a business. They shot and killed him during the encounter.

https://www.fox26houston.com/news/man-shot-killed-by-police-after-trespassing-at-acres-homes-business-identified

https://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2022/apr/nr220414-2.htm

https://www.foxnews.com/us/houston-police-bodycam-armed-suspect-organized-criminal-activity

Bodycam:

https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2022/05/05/bodycam-video-shows-deadly-officer-involved-shooting-of-suspect-who-allegedly-took-gun-inside-business-in-nw-houston/