Christian Tomas Acosta-Mendoza

CUSTODIAL DEATH REPORT Agency Information CDR Number: 24-779-UF Version Type: AMENDED Report Date: 6/3/2024 3:55 PM Status: Submitted Agency/Facility Information Chambers County Agency Name: Agency Address: PO BOX 998 Sheriff's Office Agency City: Anahuac Agency State: TX Agency Zip: 77514 Director Information Director Salutation: Sheriff Director First Name: Brian Director Middle Name: Director Last Name: Hawthorne Reporter Name: John Leger Reporter Email: [email protected] Decedent Information Identity of Deceased Custodial Death Report :: Page 1 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- First Name: Christian Middle Name: Tomas Last Name: Acosta-Mendoza Suffix: Date of Birth: 2/4/1986 Sex: Male Race: Hispanic or Latino Age At Time Of Death: 38 Date/Time of Custody (arrest, incarceration) (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Date/Time of Custody or 4/30/2024 9:05 AM Incident: Date/Time of Death (mm/dd/yyyy hh:mm AM/PM): Death Date and Time: 4/30/2024 9:05 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: This male, Christian Acosta Mendoza, was shot by police while in the driver's seat of a vehicle. Scene investigation reveals that the projectiles passed through the windshield, striking the dashboard and steering wheel. Autopsy shows a gunshot wound of the face with the entrance wound in the upper lip, resulting in multiple lacerations of the face with facial fractures. Injury to the cervical spine and spinal cord with bleeding on the brain is noted. A second gunshot wound through the left shoulder results in fracture of the left arm and recovery of a bullet. Multiple fragments (of projectile, glass, or other debris) have struck the chest resulting in lacerations and abrasions, and an injury to the right lung is noted with significant bleeding into the right side of the chest. Postmortem toxicology testing of the blood reveals cocaine degradation products (ecgonine methyl ester and benzoylecgonine). The cause of death is gunshot wounds (2) of the face and shoulder. The manner of death is homicide. Had the decedent been receiving treatment for the medical condition that caused the death after admission to your jail's jurisdiction? Medical Treatment: No If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death? Law Who caused the death?: enforcement/correctional personnel 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 Rifle/shotgun 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 Custodial Death Report :: Page 3 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Location / Custody Information Where did the event causing the death occur? 5300 Plantation Street Address: City: Baytown Drive County: Chambers Zip: 77523 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: 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: 4/30/2024 9:05 AM Where did the death occur? Death Location: Scene of incident Custodial Death Report :: Page 4 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- 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: Aggravated Kidnapping Offense 2: Evading with motor vehicle Offense 3: Were the Charges:: Filed What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply) Violent Crime Type of Offense: 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 Yes, mark all that weapons: apply Displayed firearm without discharge; Discharged firearm; Decedent Display or Use Displayed other Weapon Details: weapon, specify:; Used other weapon, specify: Custodial Death Report :: Page 5 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Specify Weapon Displayed: AR15 style rifle and 1911 Style handgun Specify Weapon Used: 1911 style handgun 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 civilian(s) or other Injure Others: inmate(s) At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent: Appear intoxicated (alcohol or No Make suicidal statements?: No 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 No Yes standoff?: arrested?: Physically attempt/assault Gain possession of officer's Unknown 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 Custodial Death Report :: Page 6 of 7 --- PAGE BREAK --- Summary of Incident Summary of How the Death Occurred: (max. 30,000 characters) Summary: On April 30, 2024 at approximately 08:42 AM Chambers County Dispatch advised that numerous outside agencies to include Harris County SO and several Harris County Constable units were in pursuit of a grey in color Volkswagen sedan bearing Georgia License Plates. The vehicle was occupied by the suspect, later identified as Christian Tomas Acosta-Mendoza (DOB 02/04/1986) who was suspected of a kidnapping that occurred in Harris County. It was reported that the two kidnapping victims, an adult female and a three year of age juvenile male, were in the front seat of the vehicle. It was further reported that the suspect Acosta was armed and shots had already been fired by the suspect during the incident. The suspect had reportedly been evading law enforcement for an extended period of time. After the kidnapping, Harris county placed an attempt to locate on the vehicle. The vehicle was spotted by a Rosenburg PD officer who tried to stop him but he fled from the Rosenburg PD officer, The pursuit continued through several jurisdictions with suspect refusing to stop. It was reported that suspect was in contact with a Harris County negotiator by phone but was refusing to stop fleeing and had made comments that led the negotiator to believe he would not surrender without further violence against the victims or law enforcement. During the conversation he referenced going home to get his other children. Records revealed he had a residence address in Chambers County which is when our agency was notified. AS the pursuit continued it became apparent that the suspect likely headed to that location. Dispatch learned the suspect had an address in the Plantation subdivision. Deputies were dispatched to that area in anticipation of the suspect heading that way. The Plantation Subdivision is a large residential neighborhood made up of hundreds of single family residences. The neighborhood has a single, primary entrance road that intersects with Farm to Market Road 565 and an stretch of road that has no homes along it for a short section before entering the neighborhood. On scene deputies and supervisors decided to set up at the entrance to the subdivision away from homes to avoid a confrontation with the suspect near homes and also to prevent the suspect from entering his residence and a hostage standoff continuing there making the situation much more dangerous to all involved. A few minutes after deputies arrived and were able to set up a V shaped roadblock near the entrance to the neighborhood it was relayed via radio that the suspect was heading toward the entrance and was only a short distance away. Moments later the suspect vehicle turned into the neighborhood entrance. As the vehicle turned into the neighborhood, deputies reported the Hispanic male driver, Acosta, looked in their direction and, Acosta lowered his head and ducked down in the seat, as if he was attempting to hide or reach for a weapon as he slowed for the barricade. The female hostage and child hostage were seated in the passenger seat next to Acosta. Deputies on scene evaluated the threat presented by Acosta based upon their knowledge of his prior display and use of a deadly weapon, his continuing threats to the hostages and law enforcement, and his refusal to surrender to custody. Two deputies discharged their rifles at Acosta ending the vehicular chase. Deputies immediately approached the vehicle and pulled the hostages free. As soon as the scene was made safe, deputies immediately began to render aid to Acosta until Emergency Medical Personnel arrived. Command staff and the District Attorney were notified. The Texas Rangers were called to investigate the use of force. For further information refer to the Ranger's investigation and/or the Medical Examiner's report. Custodial Death Report :: Page 7 of 7