The Death of Edmundo Meza: Sister Seeks Justice for Police Shooting
In a tragic incident last month, Edmundo Meza was killed by a Houston police officer, leaving his family devastated and searching for answers. Maribel Medrano, Meza’s sister, recently watched the body and dashcam footage of her brother’s death at the police headquarters. She is determined to see the officer responsible for her brother’s death face consequences for her actions.
Meza, 42, had visited a gas station near his home on the night of August 7. He purchased a drink and sat outside for a few minutes, unaware that his presence would trigger a call to the police. Authorities claimed that Meza and another man were reported as trespassers. When two officers approached Meza and ran his name, they discovered that he had traffic warrants.
As the officers attempted to arrest Meza, he resisted and tried to pull away. It was during this struggle that they discovered he had a gun. In the video footage, the officers can be seen pinning Meza to the ground, with Officer Jill McGowan pressing a gun against his stomach. McGowan repeatedly threatened to shoot him, despite other potential options for subduing him.
Maribel Medrano, filled with grief and anger, expressed her frustration with the officers’ actions. She firmly believes that they could have restrained her brother without resorting to lethal force. “She could have tasered him, she could have done anything,” Medrano said, highlighting the various alternatives available to the officers.
In the video, Meza can be heard goading the officer to shoot him, saying “shoot me” shortly before McGowan fired her weapon. Meza was pronounced dead at the hospital an hour later. Medrano vehemently disagrees with the notion that her brother’s words justified the use of lethal force. She firmly states, “Just because he says, ‘Shoot me,’ it doesn’t mean you go and shoot him. Regardless of what he says, doesn’t mean you go and do it.”
The police claim that Meza had attempted to reach for the gun tucked in his waistband, but Medrano disputes this account. According to her, the video clearly shows that Meza’s hands were restrained and he was not making any move towards the weapon. She firmly believes that the officers did not act appropriately or follow proper protocol.
This is not the first time Medrano’s family has experienced the pain of losing a loved one to a police shooting. Meza’s twin brother, Victor, was killed by a Houston police officer in 2002. The police at the time claimed that Victor was waving a gun and disregarded commands to put it down. Medrano expresses the heartbreak of having to relive the same tragedy all over again, stating, “We’re having to relive the same thing over again. Over again, the exact same thing.”
Officer Jill McGowan, who shot Edmundo Meza, is currently on leave pending the outcome of an internal investigation by the Houston Police Department. Additionally, the district attorney’s office is conducting its own investigation into the incident. Maribel Medrano firmly believes that McGowan should not only be fired but also face criminal charges for her brother’s death. She emphasizes that her brother, despite any past mistakes, was a good person.
The case of Edmundo Meza’s death highlights the ongoing issue of police shootings and the need for accountability. It raises questions about the use of force and whether officers are adequately trained to handle situations without resorting to lethal measures. The grief and frustration felt by Meza’s family reflect the larger concerns within communities impacted by police violence.
As this case unfolds, it is crucial to approach it with a commitment to justice and a thorough investigation. The outcome of this investigation will not only determine the fate of Officer McGowan but also serve as a litmus test for the accountability of law enforcement. The Meza family, like many others who have lost loved ones to police shootings, deserves answers and justice for their tragic loss.
