Alfredo Venegas

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 21-171-C Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 5/10/2021 3:33 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Brownsville Police Agency Name: Agency Address: 600 E. Jackson Dept. Agency City: Brownsville Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78520 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Director First Name: Felix Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Sauceda Jr. Reporter Name: Fernando Flores Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Alfredo Middle Name: Last Name: Venegas Suffix: Date of Birth: 11/24/1981 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic or Latino Age At Time Of Death: 39 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 2/10/2021 4:26 AM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 2/10/2021 5:13 AM Manner / Cause of Death Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death? Medical Examiner/Coroner Yes, results are Evaluation?: available What was the manner of death? (select only one) Manner of Death: Accidental Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Acute Combined Ethanol and Cocaine Toxicity. Other significant condition: Hypertensive Heart Disease. Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Not Applicable If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Who caused the death?: Decedent If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of weapon that caused Not Applicable death?: Was the cause of death the result of a pre-existing medical condition or did the decedent develop the condition after admission? Not Applicable; cause of death was Pre existing medical accidental injury, condition?: intoxication, suicide or homicide If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, what was the means of death? Means of Death: Drug overdose Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? 3800 N. Street Address: City: Brownsville Expressway 77/83 County: Cameron Zip: 78520 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Roadway/highway/street/sidewalk What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Police Custody Type of Custody: (pre-booking) Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Custody of Law Enforcement Personnel during/fleeing arrest What was the time and date of the deceased's entry into the law enforcement facility where the death occurred (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Entry Date Time: Entry Date Time N/A: Where did the death occur? Death Location: Medical facility General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Other Agencies Respond?: Yes What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death? Offense 1: Theft Offense 2: Evading arrest on foot Offense 3: Resisting Arrest Not filed at time of Were the Charges:: death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Crime Against Type of Offense: Property At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon? Decedent display/use of No weapons: At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Attempt to Injure Others?: No At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Yes Make suicidal statements?: No drugs): Exhibit any mental health No Exhibit any medical problems?: Yes problems?: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Resist being handcuffed or No Yes standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's No No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to No Yes including law: escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession No officer's weapon: Was the deceased under restraint in the time leading up to the death or the events causing the death? Yes, mark which Under Restraint: restraint devices were used Type of restraint Type of Restraint: Handcuffs Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On Wednesday February 10, 2021, at approximately 4:14am, the Brownsville Police Department responded to call for service at the Holiday Inn located at 651 Sunrise Blvd. Upon arrival, Patrol Officer Enrique Guerra made contact with the hotel's front desk clerk. The front desk clerk advised that moments earlier, a male subject later identified as Alfredo Venegas, committed a theft at location. As this was taking place, multiple calls for service came into police dispatch in regards to a male subject on the expressway near the 3800 block. Officer David Perez was first on scene and discovered a male subject laying down face up on the center lane of the 3800 block of Expressway 77/83 (southbound). Multiple concerned citizens and a Texas Department Of Public Safety Trooper were also on scene. The male subject was conscious and breathing, but was disoriented as he laid on the street. The only visible injuries were minor scrapes and abrasions to both his knees. It was eventually discovered that the male subject on the expressway was Mr. Venegas. While still laying down on the expressway, Mr. Venegas suddenly and unexpectedly got up and began to actively evade police officers on foot by running away towards the northbound lanes. Officer Jose Alejandro, who had previously arrived on scene, assisted Officer Perez in giving chase after Mr. Venegas. Both officers were able to prevent an attempt by Mr. Venegas in crossing the concrete barrier separating the northbound Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- and southbound lanes. A struggle ensued on the ground as Mr. Venegas began to actively resist arrest. Lieutenant Jose Calderon then arrived on scene and assisted Officer Perez and Officer Alejandro in securing Mr. Venegas hands behind his back and placing handcuffs on him. A few moments later, Mr. Venegas went into a state of unconsciousness and was no longer breathing. The handcuffs were removed from Mr. Venegas, and Lieutenant Calderon began to perform CPR on him. Mr. Venegas did not regain consciousness, but appeared to begin breathing again temporarily. Lieutenant Calderon performed CPR on Mr. Venegas until Brownsville EMS arrived on scene. Brownsville EMS transported Mr. Venegas to Valley Regional Medical Center where he died at 5:13am. The Texas Rangers were notified of the custodial death and are investigating the case. An autopsy report is still pending to determine the medical cause of death. Update: See Manner / Cause of Death for results of final Cameron County Forensic Pathology autopsy report. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7