A Texas man died of strangulation after being restrained by an off-duty deputy and her husband during an altercation outside of a restaurant, and state and federal departments are being asked by local authorities to investigate the incident after the death was ruled a homicide on Tuesday.
The Associated Press reports that 24-year-old John Hernandez died of lack of oxygen to the brain caused by strangulation and chest compression according to the Harris County medical examiner.
Investigators told AP that the May 28 incident started when Terry Thompson, whose wife is Harris County deputy Shauna Thompson, became offended after allegedly seeing an intoxicated Hernandez urinate outside a Houston-area Denny’s. Cell phone video of the incident, taken by a bystander and posted by Dallas News, shows a man lying on top of Hernandez using what witnesses describe as an illegal choke hold.
Attorney Jack Carroll, who released the video at a Monday news conference, told Dallas News that Shauna Thompson kneeled beside her husband and helped restrain Hernandez until he lost consciousness.
Shauna Thompson reportedly called for assistance and emergency medical services before helping her husband restrain Hernandez, and when she noticed Hernandez was not breathing, she began CPR until help arrived.
In the video, bystanders can be heard telling Thompson to stop. Thompson’s daughter eventually confronts the person recording the video, tells them to stop recording, and blocks their view.
Terry Thompson has not been charged.
Read more at the Associated Press and Dallas News
