Former Brazoswood Football Player, John Mendoza Jr, 19, Fatally Shot by Deputy in Lake Jackson
The family of 19-year-old John Gabriel Mendoza Jr., a former Brazoswood High School football player and Texas State University student, is demanding accountability after he was fatally shot by a Brazoria County deputy following a traffic stop and short chase in Lake Jackson.
Family Says Mendoza Was Unarmed
According to the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Office, the incident began just after midnight Monday when a deputy attempted to stop Mendoza’s vehicle near FM 2004 and This Way Street.
Mendoza fled, leading deputies on a chase that ended at his father’s home on Indian Warrior Trail.
Authorities say the deputy opened fire after Mendoza pulled into the garage. Mendoza was taken to a hospital, where he later died. Family members insist he was unarmed and posed no threat.
“They just shot through the window. Didn’t give him a chance,” said his great-aunt Belinda Mendoza Ramirez. His uncle, Ricardo Casteneda, added, “You don’t get executed for minor stuff. He was executed.”
The family’s attorney, Charles Adams, echoed those concerns, saying Mendoza was scared and acted out of fear. “No gun. Not a bad kid. Not a criminal. Not a history of crime.
A college student got scared by the behavior of the police and ended up losing his life because of it,” Adams said.
Investigation and Community Reaction
The deputy involved has not been publicly identified, but has been placed on administrative leave, which is standard protocol. The Texas Rangers and Brazoria County District Attorney’s Office are leading the investigation.
Mendoza’s family described him as a young man with dreams, preparing to start his sophomore year at Texas State.
“We want justice. We just want to know what happened. No kid is perfect, but nobody deserves this,” said his great-aunt Glenda Mendoza.
Community members have taken to social media, expressing grief and outrage. Some demanded the release of body camera footage, while others questioned the necessity of deadly force.
Posts under the hashtag #LLBigJohn reflect the heartbreak of friends and classmates, with one father writing,
“The loss of a child, a brother, a friend, is a burden no family should ever have to carry. My heart breaks for each of you.”
The case has sparked debate over police use of force, particularly in situations involving young, unarmed individuals.
While some commenters defended the deputy’s actions, many others argued that Mendoza’s death was avoidable and called for transparency in the investigation.
As the investigation continues, Mendoza’s family and supporters are pressing for answers and accountability, hoping his death will not be overlooked. For now, the community mourns the loss of a promising young man whose life was cut short far too soon.
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