A Hays County SWAT team surrounded Derek Arredondo’s car, where he was found unconscious, with rifles drawn. Concerned family members watched as police tried to wake him peacefully after responding to a welfare check. Arredondo, a documented gang member, had a visible pistol in his car, escalating the situation to a high-risk apprehension.
Despite Arredondo not having a history of gun violence, police were worried he might reach for the gun if startled. After multiple unsuccessful attempts to wake him, police decided to use tear gas and flash-bang grenades. Unfortunately, a malfunction in one of the devices caused Arredondo’s car to catch fire while he was still inside.
Officers struggled to rescue Arredondo from the burning vehicle, eventually pulling him out and detaining him. Arredondo suffered severe burns and spent weeks in the hospital recovering. The incident led to a civil rights lawsuit against Hays County and the City of San Marcos.
While a federal judge ruled that law enforcement’s concerns were reasonable, the lawsuit alleges false evidence and obstruction of justice. Hays County denied violating Arredondo’s civil rights and defended the actions of the officers involved.
Arredondo’s attorney criticized law enforcement for their handling of the situation, questioning their decision-making and characterizing their actions as extreme. The incident raised concerns about police culture and training, with experts noting the fine line between vigilance and misinterpreting threats in chaotic situations.
Arredondo, who was trying to turn his life around after serving time in prison, was convicted of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon. His criminal history and the gun in his car were major factors in how police approached the situation. The lawsuit alleges that police misrepresented Arredondo’s behavior and actions during the arrest.
A federal judge dismissed some of Arredondo’s claims but allowed others, including allegations of false evidence and obstruction of justice, to proceed. The judge found that law enforcement had adequate training and that the use of diversionary devices was reasonable given the circumstances.
The incident highlighted the risks and challenges of high-risk apprehensions and the importance of proper training and procedures for law enforcement. Despite the tragic outcome, questions remain about the handling of the situation and the impact on Arredondo’s life moving forward.
