The family of a Texas State University freshman, who was fatally shot in an incident involving a sheriff’s deputy, is shedding light on what they describe as the tragic final moments of his life.

Eighteen-year-old John Mendoza Jr. lost his life on June 1 after an encounter with Deputy Kevin Tippit of the Brazoria County Sheriff’s Department. The shooting occurred following an attempted traffic stop.

Earlier in the evening, Mendoza had been enjoying time with three friends at a park in Lake Jackson, about 55 miles south of Houston. Deputy Tippit reportedly began following them in his vehicle and soon attempted to initiate a traffic stop.

According to law enforcement, Mendoza attempted to evade the stop, leading the deputy on a mile-long chase to his home. The pursuit ended tragically when Mendoza was shot inside his car as he pulled into his garage.

However, the Mendoza family contests this version of events. They assert that the young man, who was unarmed, was unjustly shot despite having his hands visible and raised in surrender.

They told the Daily Mail through their attorney Charles Adams that he was not trying to evade cops, and that he kept telling his friends he wanted to go and get his dad, who was just a short drive away.  

Demanding Tippit face charges, Adams called Mendoza’s death an ‘execution.’  

Tippit was sensationally fired by the force and branded a disgrace by the sheriff.  

Texas State University freshman John Mendoza Jr, 18, was allegedly shot dead by a Brazoria County sheriff’s deputy on June 1

Surveillance footage outside Mendoza’s home, where he was allegedly shot dead by the sheriff’s deputy 

Mendoza’s family said he was home for the summer from his freshman year at Texas State when he was killed. They said he had hopes of playing for the college football team after being a standout high school player.

Adams said the incident unfolded when Tippit followed Mendoza and three of his friends from a park, adding that the deputy followed them before eventually turning on his sirens. 

While admitting that Mendoza did not stop, he said the 18-year-old drove slowly back to his nearby home, remaining below the speed limit despite driving an SRT Dodge Challenger ‘capable of great speeds.’

Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman said this week that he had fired Tippit following the shooting, as he condemned Mendoza’s death as a ‘tragedy.’ 

While authorities say Tippit is under investigation, Adams said the Mendoza family will not be satisfied until the deputy is ‘arrested and charged with murder.’ 

Following news of Tippit’s firing, Adams said in a statement to the Daily Mail that he was ‘encouraged’ by the sheriff’s decision.

Mendoza Jr, a former standout high school football player, tried to get home to his father John (seen together) when he was being pulled over by the deputy, leading to allegations he was trying to ‘flee’ 

Mendoza’s family said he was home for the summer following his freshman year at Texas State University and was spending the evening with friends when he was killed on June 1 

‘But it is not the consequence the family needs to start the journey to healing,’ the lawyer continued.

‘Any other person in Brazoria County that shot an unarmed man on camera would be arrested and charged with murder. That is what John’s family is seeking. 

‘Thank you to everyone who has supported the memory and legacy of John and the Mendoza family throughout this very difficult time. Please keep demanding justice.’ 

Mendoza was shot once in his car in the garage of his family home – just seven seconds after he stopped the alleged pursuit, Adams said. 

The student was taken to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Adams said all four occupants in the car had their hands up when Tippit opened fire, and alleged that the deputy issued ‘no directives or commands’ before shooting. 

The attorney added that Mendoza likely wanted his father with him for his interaction with law enforcement because he was ‘scared’ by Tippit following him, and said he made ‘no effort to escape.’ The teen was rattled and confused, Adams said.

He said authorities have not established any reason that Mendoza would have been pulled over in the first place, and said even if the teenager did try to evade the police, the charge does not ‘subject a defendant to the death penalty.’ 

Following a two-week investigation into the shooting, Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman said he fired Tippit, condemning his actions in a scathing video statement.

Brazoria County Sheriff Bo Stallman (above) said this week that he fired deputy Kevin Tippit in connection with the shooting 

Mendoza’s family said they have been left devastated by his death, accusing the deputy of shooting the unarmed 18-year-old ‘without warning or direction’

Stallman described Mendoza’s death as a ‘tragedy’ and said ‘regardless of any investigation, he will not be forgotten.’

He said the Texas Rangers were conducting an independent investigation into the shooting, and said the District Attorney’s office would determine whether Tippit would face charges.

The sheriff said that while he does not control whether Tippit will be prosecuted, he decided ‘based on the ongoing investigations and the information available to me’ that he would fire Tippit.

The move to fire Tippit within two weeks of the shooting marks a significant punishment from the sheriff’s department, with law enforcement officers typically placed on paid administrative leave following an officer-involved incident. 

Stallman said his decision was ‘due to the policy violations’ and ‘the handling and discharging of his firearm’ during the traffic stop.

Brazoria County District Attorney Tom Selleck said on June 3 that his office was conducting a ‘thorough and comprehensive investigation’, and said the case would be presented to a grand jury to consider charges.

Selleck’s office said the process could take several months before evidence is gathered and presented to a grand jury.

Mendoza’s family said they were left heartbroken and called for justice for the Texas State freshman.

Mendoza’s family said they were left heartbroken and called for justice for the Texas State freshman

Protests erupted following Mendoza’s death 

Mendoza’s sister, Allyson, said in a GoFundMe that they were fundraising ‘to help raise awareness, seek accountability, and honor the life of my little brother.’

Allyson alleged that Tippit had targeted her brother and followed him home from a park before shooting him ‘without warning or direction’.

She said paramedics took more than 20 minutes to get to the scene, accusing emergency services of failing to arrive in time to save Mendoza.

‘Those lost minutes mattered. Where was the sense of urgency?? From the unjustified and aggressive use of force by the officer who shot John, to the delayed emergency response,’ she wrote.

‘John was failed at every stage. Our family is left with heartbreaking questions.’

Stallman also directly addressed Mendoza’s family in his video message, telling them: ‘John Gabriel Mendoza Jr lost his life, your family lost a son, friends lost someone they loved.

‘Regardless of any outcome of any investigation, your family’s loss is permanent and your grief is real.

‘I can not begin to understand the pain that your family is experiencing, but I wanted you to know that your loss is seen and that John Mendoza Jr will not be forgotten.’

Zendaya experienced “a very emotional reaction” upon discovering that her character, Rue Bennett, is set to meet a tragic end in the Season 3 finale of “Euphoria.”

During Variety’s “Half Hour With” series on Wednesday, the show’s creator, Sam Levinson, revealed that he and Zendaya had a “tough” conversation when he first proposed the conclusion of Rue’s storyline to her.

“We have a deep affection for the character Rue,” Levinson remarked, commending the two-time Emmy Award-winning actress for her remarkable portrayal that brought the character to life.

He described Zendaya, 29, as “a gifted actor,” noting that Rue’s charm, lovability, and humor would not have been the same without her performance.

“It was indeed a challenging discussion,” Levinson admitted. “Throughout the filming process, it lingered in our minds. Ultimately, she understood the direction I was taking.”

During the Season 3 finale, Rue suffered an accidental overdose after she took fentanyl-laced pills given to her by crime lord Alamo Brown (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje).

Levinson confirmed the manner of Rue’s death was to honor late co-star Angus Cloud, who died from an accidental fentanyl overdose in July 2023 at the age of 25.

Cloud, Levinson said, “was someone whom we loved dearly and really rooted for and saw the best in.”

The TV producer also shouted out Colman Domingo’s performance as Rue’s mentor, Ali Muhammad, who finds her dead body.

“When when it came time to shoot the scene, we also had Colman Domingo there, who’s been one of my closest collaborators for over a decade and a grounding force in Zendaya’s life as well,” Levinson explained.

“That kind of camaraderie really helped this sequence feel authentic and meaningful,” he continued. “We’ve been doing this for eight, nine years together, so it was a beautiful couple of days as we were shooting those scenes, because I think we knew how audiences would respond to it.”

Levinson previously defended the decision to kill off Rue, which shocked and angered some of the HBO show’s audience.

“People like Rue don’t make it,” he said in a post-finale HBO interview.

“People relapse. They f–k up. They’re not ready to get clean,” he continued. “There’s no reason to sugarcoat it. I wanted to tell this story for Angus and for people who weren’t granted a second chance.”

Zendaya has not publicly reacted to Rue’s death.

But her mom, Claire Stoermer, weighed in on the show’s ending the day after the finale with a cryptic post on Instagram.

“Lots of messages in my DM’s from people about last night’s episode,” she began her message. “I’m gonna keep my thoughts to myself.”

Stoermer added, “Definitely made me sad….and other emotions as well. But just gonna leave it right there…”

The HBO series also killed off Jacob Elordi’s character, Nate Jacobs, which similarly upset fans.

In one of his post-finale interviews, Levinson confirmed Season 3 is the show’s last.

“In terms of the story that we set out to tell, which is the story about addiction and its consequences,” he stated, “this feels like the end to me.”

In Provo, Utah, the legal team representing Tyler Robinson, who stands accused of murdering Charlie Kirk, made a formal request to the court on Friday. They urged the judge to prevent the prosecution from pursuing the death penalty, citing concerns over the prosecutors’ public remarks regarding a bullet fragment found in Kirk’s body.

The controversy arose after prosecutors addressed media speculation suggesting that the bullet fragment might clear Robinson of involvement. This speculation has fueled a slew of unverified conspiracy theories, ranging from the possibility of a second shooter to claims that the incident could have been staged. Charlie Kirk was killed during a speech at Utah Valley University, a tragedy that has since captured significant public interest.

Robinson, a 23-year-old from southwestern Utah, faces charges of aggravated murder for the September 10th shooting of Kirk, a well-known conservative speaker who was fatally shot in the neck during his appearance on the Orem campus. At this point, Robinson has yet to submit a plea in the case.

Attorneys defending Robinson have accused the prosecutors of conducting a “media tour” that involves discussing expert analyses of the bullet fragment. They argue this violates judicial orders limiting public commentary about the case. The defense team is particularly concerned about how media portrayals could mischaracterize their client amidst the intense scrutiny the case has generated.

In response, the prosecution maintains that their communications with the media were necessary to address misconceptions stemming from initial ballistic reports. These reports revealed that the bullet fragment did not match the weapon believed to have been used in Kirk’s murder, a crucial detail that has been pivotal in shaping public perception of the case.

In court filings, Robinson’s attorneys made public the failure to conclusively link the bullet fragment with the rifle and said it appeared to be “exculpatory evidence,” without noting that the finding was preliminary and that further testing was planned. That spurred stories by some by outlets raising questions about the prosecution’s case: A March 30 headline in the U.K.-based Daily Mail reported that the bullet that killed Kirk “did NOT match” the rifle that investigators say was used to kill Kirk.

Authorities have said DNA consistent with Robinson’s was found on the trigger of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing, two unfired cartridges and a towel used to wrap the rifle.

“The rules expressly allow lawyers to set the record straight,” Deputy Utah County Attorney Christopher Ballard wrote in a court filing.

Ballard argued Friday that he didn’t speak to the media about case specifics and only spoke generally about how ballistics testing can be inconclusive. He said his goal “was to respond to the substantial undue prejudicial effect of the media stories.”

Defense attorney Richard Novak disagreed, saying Ballard did not speak to the media using general terms and tried to “influence public perception” of the case.

“What was going on here was an attempt to influence the jury pool,” Novak argued.

State District Judge Tony Graf has said he will issue his decision about the contempt allegation at a later date.

Earlier Friday, Graf declined a defense request to halt the proceedings while they appeal a June 1 order in which the judge declined to bar cameras from the courtroom.

The ruling comes ahead of a key hearing scheduled to begin July 6, when prosecutors must show they have enough evidence to warrant a trial. That would mark the most significant presentation of evidence to date in the case, which has so far focused on matters of media access.

Before Friday’s hearing, the defense team pointed to another criminal case in which prosecutors were accused of contempt and suggested that one potential remedy would be to bar the state from seeking the death penalty.

While the judge in that earlier case disagreed that an order barring the death penalty was merited, Robinson’s attorneys noted that “the court did not conclude that such a remedy was beyond its authority where the facts support it.”

___

Brown reported from Billings, Montana.

Michael Bublé set the stage for Canada’s World Cup kickoff in Toronto, creating an electrifying atmosphere on Friday night. The event reached a poignant crescendo with Alanis Morissette’s stirring rendition of the national anthem, “O Canada,” performed in front of thousands of fervent fans.

The streets of downtown Toronto were alive with a festive spirit as throngs of supporters gathered and marched to the stadium earlier in the day, their excitement building as the highly anticipated kickoff approached.

As the crowd settled in for the first of six matches hosted by the city, festivities began with an artist ceremony helmed by William Prince, setting the tone for the evening. Singer Jessie Reyez entertained the audience with her performance next to a massive model of the World Cup trophy, further heightening the excitement.

Amid this vibrant atmosphere, Michael Bublé made a grand entrance just before the match against Bosnia and Herzegovina commenced. Flags representing each team in the tournament were paraded onto the field, setting the stage for Bublé, who stood in the center circle and captivated the audience with his 2022 hit “Bring It On Home To Me.”

The allure of the World Cup was such that even the typically media-shy Alanis Morissette took the spotlight, delivering her moving version of “O Canada” to the delight of the assembled fans, marking a memorable start to the tournament.

Violinist Aleksandar Gajic, meanwhile, performed the anthem of Canada’s opponents.

Michael Buble performs moments before Canada started their World Cup campaign

The 50-year-old took to the field minutes to headline his country’s World Cup party

The ceremony started with William Prince headlining an artist ceremony at the stadium

Jessie Reyez also took to the field, performing around a giant World Cup trophy 

Canada are World Cup hosts for the first time, seeking their first ever win in the tournament

Thousands of Canada fans marched to the stadium from downtown Toronto on Friday

Canada fans were in the party mood ahead of the team’s opening game of the competition

Canada, hosts of the tournament for the first time, headed into the game desperately looking for their first ever win in the competition. 

The team is considered Canada’s ‘golden generation’, spearheaded by star striker Jonathan David and Alphonso Davies – the latter unfortunately absent from the opening game due to injury. It was a terrible start, though – they fell 1-0 down after 21 minutes through a header by Jovo Lukic.

It was Shakira who, 24 hours earlier, lifted the curtain on the tournament with a star-studded performance at Mexico’s iconic Estadio Azteca in Mexico City for the very first game of the biggest World Cup ever.

It set the tone for a successful start by another one of the co-hosts, with Mexico cruising to a 2-0 victory against South Africa in a game that saw three players sent off.

There was also trouble outside the stadium, with protestors fighting with riot police outside the venue. 

The Daily Mail witnessed the carnage unfold, as protesters – some reportedly made up of the families of those missing in the Mexican drug war – attempted to breach the stadium and were forcibly pushed back by police. A man had a heart attack outside the venue in an unrelated incident.

Just 10 minutes before the start of the Mexico-South Africa tournament opener, hundreds of demonstrators approached the grounds from the north-east side, attempting to enter the stadium’s inner ring.

They threw flares and rocks at officers and smashed a lorry parked nearby. Riot police were quickly deployed and pushed the demonstrators back up the road, firing tear gas and throwing rocks back in the process.

The excitement was ramping up before the first game against Bosnia and Herzegovina 

Shakira wowed fans with her performance at the opening ceremony in Mexico Thursday

Protesters attempt to breach the Mexico City Stadium but are stopped by a line of riot police

A demonstrator waves a stick in front of riot police during violent scenes outside the stadium

There was no sign of the same trouble marring events in Canada on Friday afternoon as Buble’s glitzy performance got underway, following in the footsteps of pop icon Shakira. 

Remarkably, Fox – the host broadcaster in the United States – skipped the majority of Buble’s performance – only showing a shorter to American soccer fans. They made the same move for Shakira’s show in Mexico, too.

Later on Friday, the tournament finally begins on American soil when the USA team meet Paraguay in Los Angeles.

That opening ceremony is headlined by Katy Perry – who is dating former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau – while hip-hop star Future will also feature.

Canada’s team, meanwhile, will play Qatar in the second game next Thursday in Vancouver.

They’ll round off the group stage against Switzerland on June 24.