String of shootings

There have been six fatal shootings by Houston police in the last two months. All remain under investigation by the Houston Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division and the Harris County District Attorney’s Office. Videos from body cameras have not been released in any of the cases, though some have been shared with family members. In two cases, Mayor Sylvester Turner and Police Chief Art Acevedo said families requested the city not release the videos.

Still under investigation: Nicholas Chavez, 27, was shot and killed by police April 21 in Denver Harbor, after allegedly threatening residents with a piece of rebar. He was on his knees when officers fired their weapons, according to video of the incident. Acevedo has asked the FBI to review that case. HPD’s internal investigation is expected to wrap up by Wednesday, according to the chief.

Christopher Aguirre, 28, was shot and killed by police April 27 after he allegedly was shooting a gun at random at a Lane Street home. Police said he eventually raised his gun at officers, and three of them opened fire.

Adrian Medearis, 48, was shot and killed by police May 8 during an early morning arrest on suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Police said he was shot after grabbing an officer’s stun gun and pointing it at him. The Medearis family asked the city to not release the video.

Rayshard Scales, 30, was shot and killed by police on May 14 after reports that he was carrying a gun on Scott Street. Police say he advanced toward an officer and was shot after reaching for what appeared to be a pistol in his waistband. The chief later said it was a BB gun, a replica of a 9 mm pistol.

Randy Lewis, 38, was shot and killed by police May 16 after fatally stabbing an elderly woman to death at a Walgreens in Braeburn. Acevedo said Lewis did not listen to commands and approached the officer with the knife.

Joe Louis Castillanos, 38, was shot and killed by police May 25. Castillanos had a gun and fired it several times into the ground. He was shot after pointing the gun at officers, police said.