Jose Mendez is Dead as Result of a Shooting

Douglas Daily Dispatch
July 5, 1916

Wednesday Morning, July 5, 1916.

Jose Mendez is dead as a result of a shooting early yesterday morning when Officer Ross Brooks shot him three times, after Mendez had emptied his pistol at the officer at 707 Second street.

The coroner's jury, empaneled by Judge Robert S. Maclay, meets this morning at 10 o'clock at the Ferguson undertaking parlors to determine the cause of death. It is composed of E. M. Davis, R. W. Welch, F. Richardson, J. W. Austin and W. D. Maddux.

The officer had gone to Mendez's home to arrest him on a misdemeanor warrant when the shooting occurred.

The affair began in a family row between Mendez and his sister, Elena Perez, following which she asked for a warrant for his arrest, stating that he had threatened to kill her. The warrant was issued in Judge Maclay's court Monday and given to an officer to serve.

Arriving that afternoon at the Mendez home, the officer was told by his wife he was not at home. By way of emphasizing her declaration she flourished a knife in the officer's face.

The warrant was again given to Officer Brooks and George Gray Monday night and they went to the Mendez home early yesterday morning, where they were refused admission. Gray had started back to the police station to enlist the aid of Night Sergeant Mervin Moore, in hope that Moore might talk Mendez into surrendering, because of the command of Spanish of the sergeant.

It was at this time, while Brooks was left on guard, that Mendez came out of the house, according to the officer's version of the affair, and opened fire, shooting five times. Brooks returned the fire, hitting Mendez three times, once in the left hip, another a short distance below in the leg, and a third wound in the hand. Mendez went a block in the direction of the border before he fell. His revolver was found near him with five shells discharged and other shells ready to load.

Brooks has been stationed in the First street district for some time as a mounted city police patrol, due the recent situation between Mexico and the United States. He was 77 years of age yesterday.

Mendez, who is thought to be about 25 years of age, came here from Pearce, according to the statement of his friends.

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