2021-08-20
Agency Information
CDR Number: 21-1059-UF
Version Type: ORIGINAL VERSION
Report Date: 8/24/2021 9:58 AM
Reporter Name: Michael Dunn
Decedent Information
Identity of Deceased
- Name: George Michael Mireles
- DOB: 3/08/1987
- Age At Time Of Death: 34
Date/Time of Custody
- Date/Time of Custody or Incident: 8/20/2021 9:35 AM
Manner / Cause of Death
Has a medical examiner or coroner conducted an evaluation to determine a cause of death?
- Medical Examiner/Coroner Evaluation?: Yes, results pending
What was the manner of death? (select only one)
- Manner of Death: Homicide (includes Justifiable Homicide)
Medical Cause of Death:
- Medical Cause of Death: Gunshot wound of the head
If death was an accident, homicide or suicide, who caused the death?
- Who caused the death?: Law enforcement/correctional personnel
If a weapon caused the death, what type of weapon caused the death? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply)
- Type of weapon that caused death?: Handgun
Location / Custody Information
Where did the event causing the death occur?
- Street Address: 1223 South Roberts
- City: Amarillo
- County: Potter
- Zip: 79102
What location category best describes where the event causing the death occurred?
- Location Category: Parking lot/garage
What type of custody/facility was the Decedent in at the time of death:
- Type of Custody: Pre-Custodial Use of Force
Specific type of custody/facility:
- Specific Type of Custody/Facility: Custody of Law Enforcement Personnel during/fleeing arrest
What were the most serious offense(s) with which the deceased was (or would have been) charged with at the time of death?
- Offense 1: Aggravated Assault DW Public Servant
What were the types of charges or reason for contact? (Hold CTRL to select all that apply)
- Type of Offense, Other: Texas Pardon and Parole Warrant-Original Charge Dangerous Drugs
At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent display or use a weapon?
- Decedent display/use of weapons: Yes, mark all that apply
- Decedent Display or Use Weapon Details: Discharged firearm
At any time during the incident and/or entry into the law enforcement facility, did the decedent:
- Attempt to Injure Others?: Yes (select all that apply)
- Ways Decedent Attempted To Injure Others: Attempted to injure law enforcement personnel
Summary of Incident
On Friday August 20, 2021 at about 0935 hours, Amarillo Police Officers were conducting surveillance on the apartment complex located at 1223 South Roberts. They were watching two apartments within the complex, looking for a felon, Cayetano Vela Medrano 29 wanted for Texas Pardon and Parole-Dangerous Drugs, Caution Armed and Dangerous warrant.
While conducting this operation, the officers observed George Michael Mireles 34 leave one of these apartments. Mireles is the half brother of Medrano.
Medrano is listed as 5'11, 204 lbs with black hair and brown eyes.
Mireles is listed as 5'7", 180 lbs with black hair and brown eyes.
Both Mireles and Medrano have tattoos on the side of their neck.
Officers moved towards Mireles in the parking lot of the apartment complex to try to identify him as the possible target of their investigation. Unknown to the officers at the time, George Mireles was also wanted by Texas Pardon and Parole warrant-Dangerous Drugs, Caution Armed and Dangerous, warrant issued on 8/13/2021.
As Amarillo Police Cpl Anthony Kennedy approached in an unmarked police vehicle, Mireles drew a concealed firearm from a holster at his waist and fired at Cpl Kennedy's vehicle, striking the right front hood. Cpl Kennedy brought his vehicle to a stop and exited.
Mireles fled up the exterior stairwell of the apartment building and fired a second time.
Cpl Kennedy and Amarillo Police Sgt Kevin Anderson and Amarillo Police Cpl John McDaniel returned fire with handguns. All three officer were wearing distinctive police markings and equipped with body worn cameras which were activated at the time of the shooting. M
ireles was struck by gunfire in his body, arms and head. Mireles fell just outside the target apartment door.
Officers called for assistance and utilized a ballistic shield to approach Mireles and pull him away from the front door. Mireles was armed with a 9mm handgun and had a concealment holster on his waistband. Officers carried Mireles to a safe location where he was provided with first aid and then carried to an ambulance in a staging area. Medrano was located inside the target apartment and arrested at the scene, he was booked into the Potter County Correction Center for his warrant.
Mireles died at a local hospital, Saturday August 21, 2021 at 0205 hours. Justice of the Peace D. Horn ordered an autopsy which was completed on Tuesday August 24, 2021.
Cause of Death was determined to be gunshot wound to the head.