Alva Joe Gwinn

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 17-583-UF Version Type: AMENDED 10/18/2018 2:21 Report Date: Status: Submitted PM Agency/Facility Information Texas Department Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 4087 Of Public Safety Agency City: Austin Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 78773 Director Information Director Salutation: Director Director First Name: Steven Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: McCraw Joanne Reporter Name: Reporter Email: [email protected] Scarbrough Decedent Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Identity of Deceased First Name: Alva Middle Name: Joe Last Name: Gwinn Suffix: Date of Birth: 9/19/1978 Sex: Male Race: Other Age At Time Of Death: 39 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 10/12/2017 1:18 Incident: PM Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): 10/12/2017 1:51 Death Date and Time: PM 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: Suicide Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the head. Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: Unknown 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 Handgun 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: Firearm Location / Custody Information Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Where did the event causing the death occur? Street Address: 20402 SH 195 City: Killeen County: Bell Zip: 76542 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Field/woods/lake/waterway/beach What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use Type of Custody: of Force 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: Scene of incident 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: Aggravated Assault w/deadly weapon Offense 2: Evading Arrest or Detention Offense 3: 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) Medical / Mental Type of Offense: Health assistance call 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 Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Displayed firearm Decedent Display or Use without discharge; Weapon Details: Discharged firearm At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Yes (select all that Attempt to Injure Others?: apply) Attempted to injure Ways Decedent Attempted To law enforcement Injure Others: personnel 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: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown Make suicidal statements?: Yes drugs): Exhibit any mental health Unknown Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown problems?: 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 Yes Yes standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's Yes No officer(s): weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Escape or attempt to Yes 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? Under Restraint: No Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On the morning of 10/12/17, a general information and officer safety alert was broadcast regarding the deceased. Information indicated that he was involved in an altercation earlier that morning with his spouse and that he was suicidal, had violent tendencies and was armed with a revolver and approximately fifty (50) rounds of ammunition. Further information indicated that he was operating a gray Chevrolet Traverse SUV in the general area of the Bell / Williamson County line on or near State Highway 195. The involved Trooper responded to the area and observed two (2) Williamson County Sheriff's Deputies and a Florence Police Department Officer in pursuit of a vehicle matching the suspect vehicle's description, north bound on State Highway 195. The Trooper joined the pursuit, ultimately ending up as the lead unit. Based on the totality of the circumstances, including the threats and actions of the suspect, the Trooper determined that the immediate need to terminate the pursuit and prevent the suspect from entering a densely populated area, justified the use of deadly force. The Trooper deployed five (5) rounds of .357 Sig from his issued Sig Sauer P226 into the area of the vehicle's right rear tire. As the tire deflated, the vehicle slowed down significantly. The vehicle then drove off of the roadway and through a barbed wire fence onto private property near a residence, located at 20402 SH 195, Killeen, Texas 76542. The suspect exited the vehicle and continued to evade arrest afoot. The Trooper continued pursuit up a hill through the woods. The suspect jumped over a Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- pasture fence and took cover behind a concrete pillar. The suspect pointed a handgun at the Trooper, who responded by placing rounds on the concrete pillar in order to duress the suspect. The suspect then pointed the handgun at a deputy, who was attempting to flank his position. At this point, the Trooper gained visibility of the suspects center mass and fired, striking the suspect in the chest. The suspect then turned the gun on himself, discharging it into his head. The Trooper and Deputy attempted cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (CPR) and applied an occlusive bandage to the suspect's sucking chest wound. The suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7