Dennis Erwin Brandl Jr., the 83-year-old man accused of shooting a person during an event at Pasadena Memorial High School, passed away Sunday after experiencing a medical emergency while in custody.
Brandl was taken to Ben Taub Hospital for treatment and later released to medical providers, but he died the following day.
Brandl had been held pending a mental evaluation after being deemed a potential risk to others. His bond had been set at $80,000, with conditions prohibiting contact with the victim, Dwight Benjamin, as well as restrictions on firearms, drugs, and alcohol.
Incident Details
The shooting took place during a Texas Color Guard Circuit percussion competition when Brandl allegedly fired a small-caliber handgun, striking a man in the shoulder. The victim was airlifted to a hospital and is currently in stable condition.
Brandl, who had no known connection to the event, was quickly subdued by an off-duty Houston Police Department officer attending the competition. Other bystanders assisted in disarming him before security and law enforcement arrived. He was later charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon by the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.
According to Pasadena Police, Brandl claimed he was being chased and feared for his and his wife’s safety, which led him to the school. However, authorities have not verified these claims, and it remains uncertain whether he was experiencing a mental health crisis.
Pasadena Independent School District acknowledged the incident, confirming that Brandl had no ties to the competition. The district has since implemented crisis counseling services and increased security measures on its campuses.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and Brandl’s death.
