Ashton LaVan

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 25-571-UF Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 7/28/2025 8:19 AM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Agency Name: Jacinto City Police Dept. Agency City: Jacinto City Agency Address: 10429 Market St. Rd. Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 77029 Director Information Director Salutation: Chief Director First Name: Joe Director Middle Name: M. Director Last Name: Ayala Reporter Name: Joe Ayala Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Ashton Middle Name: Last Name: LaVan Suffix: Date of Birth: 3/6/2008 Race: Sex: Male Black or African American Age At Time Of Death: 17 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 5/8/2025 4:00 AM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 5/8/2025 5:03 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) Homicide (includes Manner of Death: Justifiable Homicide) Custodial Death Report :: Page 2 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Medical Cause of Death: Medical Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of abdomen 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?: Unknown person(s) caused the injury 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 Firearm, death?: unspecified 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: Other, specify Means of Death Other: Homicide by Gunshot Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? between 13800 blk of Crosshaven and Street Address: 13810 Double Pine Dr., County: Harris City: Houston Zip: 77015 What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred? Location Category: Other, specify Other Location Category: outside between 13800 blk of Crosshaven and 13810 Double Pine Dr., (backyard) What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death: Pre-Custodial Use of Force Type of Custody: Specific type of custody/facility: Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Hospital/Infirmary 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: 5/8/2025 5:03 AM Where did the death occur? Death Location: Elsewhere, specify Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Death Location Elsewhere: outside between 13800 blk of Crosshaven and 13810 Double Pine Dr. (back yard) residential area General Information Did any other law enforcement agencies respond to calls for service related to this incident? 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: Deadly Conduct Offense 2: Felony Criminal Mischief Offense 3: Were the Charges:: Not filed at time of death What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Type of Offense: Violent Crime Against Persons 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 Unknown weapons: 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: Attempt to Injure Others?: Yes (select all that apply) Ways Decedent Attempted To Injured civilian(s) or Injure Others: other inmate(s) At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or Unknown drugs): Make suicidal statements?: Unknown Exhibit any mental health Unknown problems?: Exhibit any medical problems?: Unknown At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Barricade self or initiate Unknown standoff?: Resist being handcuffed or No arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Unknown officer(s): Gain possession of officer's No weapon: Verbally threaten other(s) Yes including law: Escape or attempt to Unknown escape/flee custody: Attempt gain possession Unknown 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 May 8, 2025, at approximately 4:27 a.m., Sgt. Francisco Benavides, ID 240, an Off duty Officer notified Chief J.M. Ayala by phone to inform me of the situation at hand of a shooting investigation in which he was involved and the Harris County Sheriffs Department on scene investigating. Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Later during the investigation, Sgt. Benavides stated that while he and his family were asleep, he heard rapid gunfire coming from the rear of the neighbor's back yard, which gave him concern for the safety of his family. Benavides stated a second burst of gunfire occurred again at which time he heard bullet fragments striking his residence. After checking on his family and believing that a drive by shooting might be occurring, Benavides went downstairs, exited the sliding rear door of his residence and stepped outside. It was at this time that Benavides stated as he was stepping back inside his residence he observed a subject jumping over a fence into his back yard wearing a gray hoodie, ski mask, and black pants. Benavides stated he felt threatened and retrieved his firearm from the kitchen table. Benavides stated he observed the subject walking toward him and fearing for his life, fired three rounds as the subject was approaching. The subject was then observed to retreat to the fence where he came from. Benavides stated he subsequently contacted 911 to report the incident. Benavides concluded that he was unsure if any of the three rounds he fired caused any injury or if the subject was already injured from a drive by shooting that had already occurred. ( The subject was not in the custody of Sgt. Francisco Benavides when this event occurred. Benavides a Jacinto City Police Officer was Off duty and at his private residence where he resides, when the events of this incident occurred.) Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK ---