Sheriff Asks DOJ, Texas Rangers To Investigate Man’s Beating Death

HOUSTON, TX — Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez has asked the U.S. Justice Department and the Texas Rangers to investigate the death of a 24-year old man who died during a fight with the husband of a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy.

John Hernandez, who spent three days in a coma, after a fight in a Denny’s parking lot, died Thursday morning at LBJ Hospital from injuries sustained in the fight. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

During a press conference Friday, Gonzalez said the investigation was still ongoing, and that he was reaching out to the Justice Department and the Texas Rangers to assist in the investigation.

"We're going to continue to investigate the incident, but I will also be reaching out to the Texas Rangers and the Department of Justice to make sure that we have full transparency and to make sure there is another set of independent eyes that will look at our investigation," Gonzalez said.

Read Also: Man Dies After Fight With Harris County Deputy's Husband [UPDATE]

The incident happened at 11:40 p.m. Sunday in the 17700 block of Crosby Highway, when the husband of a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy was pulling into the parking lot of the Denny’s restaurant with his children and allegedly saw a man urinating in front of the restaurant.

Investigators said he deputy’s husband confront the man, identified as Hernandez and that the two began fighting.

Hernandez’s wife, who was at the restaurant with her husband, told investigators that her husband was intoxicated after celebrating his favorite soccer team’s victory, and they were there to have coffee, according to a KHOU report.

Shortly after they arrived, Hernandez got upon from his seat and was going outside to relieve himself, and was seen on video from inside the restaurant as his wife tried to keep her husband from leaving, according to a KPRC report.

A few minutes later, Hernandez was unresponsive after a fight, and was being administered CPR by the off-duty sheriff’s deputy, until paramedics arrived The Houston Chronicle reported.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez said the deputy has not been placed on administrative leave, at this point.

Once the investigation is completed, Gonzales said he will present the case to the Harris County District Attorney to determine if charges in this case will be filed.

Image: Shutterstock

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