Former Brazoria County Deputy Charged in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old
Kevin Tippit faces aggravated assault charges after allegedly shooting John Mendoza Jr. during a pursuit; the case remains undecided.
2 reports on this incident · first at Aug 20, 2026, 1:36 p.m. ET
Earlier reports
Aug 20, 2026, 1:36 p.m. ETFirst report
Former Brazoria County Deputy Charged in Fatal Shooting of 18-Year-Old
A former Brazoria County deputy has been charged in connection with the shooting death of an 18-year-old man, according to court records reported by Fox 26 Houston. The charges were announced on August 11, 2026, and the matter is at the charging stage and has not been resolved.
Kevin Tippit, a former Brazoria County Deputy, is charged with aggravated assault by a peace officer with a deadly weapon. Court records allege that Tippit entered a garage on Indian Warrior Trail in Lake Jackson after a pursuit, approached the driver's door of a red Dodge Challenger, and discharged his pistol through the driver's door window, striking the driver, John Mendoza Jr., who later died at the hospital. Tippit reported an accidental discharge to dispatch, according to the records.
The Texas Rangers are investigating the case. The charges are allegations, and Tippit is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The case has not yet gone to trial, and no final determination has been made.
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Revision history
- Version 120 Aug 2026, 17:52current
First published.
- Version 120 Aug 2026, 17:36current
First published.
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