MEDINA COUNTY, Texas – The Medina County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a shooting involving an off-duty Bexar County detention officer.
Deputy Brandon Doege, who has been with the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office since January 2016, told authorities that he was on his way home when he stopped to help what appeared to be a stranded driver around 11:44 p.m. Thursday. He told them the woman became combative and he shot her multiple times.
Medina County Sheriff Randy Brown said that the woman, who has only been identified as a woman in her 50s, was parked in the fast lane of Highway 90 westbound when Doege stopped to help her. Brown said that the deputy was in uniform and had red and blue emergency lights on his personal vehicle.
Brown said Doege called 911 and was on the phone with dispatchers when he opened fire on the woman.
Doege told authorities that the woman got out of the car and was agitated for unknown reasons, started making threats and ignored repeated requests to show her hands.
Doege said the woman looked as if she was going to reach for a weapon when he opened fire.
The woman was airlifted to University Hospital in critical condition. Brown said Friday afternoon that she was still in critical condition at last check.
Brown said they’re investigating whether alcohol played a role in the woman’s combative state, adding that authorities discovered some things from the woman’s past. Brown refused to elaborate on what was discovered, stating that they haven’t been able to get in contact with the woman’s next of kin because she is a U.S. citizen who was born in Russia.
Medina County has asked the state Department of Public Safety for help with the investigation.
In a brief statement, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said it also has offered to help.
It says it also is conducting a concurrent internal affairs investigation concerning Doege, who has been placed on administrative leave.
The full statement by the Bexar County Sheriff's Office can be read below:
Early this morning, an off-duty Detention Deputy was involved in a shooting. The Medina County Sheriff’s Office is handling the shooting investigation due to the incident taking place within their jurisdiction. The Department of Public Safety is assisting Medina County with the investigation. We have offered our assistance to both agencies. The Bexar County Sheriff’s Office Internal Affairs Unit is handling a separate but concurrent administrative investigation. The Deputy is being placed on Administrative Leave, in accordance with standard procedures.