Coroner reveals manner of death of man shot by police officer in Converse

CONVERSE, Texas — Nearly seven months after a state trooper shot and killed a man in Converse, the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office is revealing how and why he died.

The medical examiner ruled Luis Navarro’s death a homicide, adding that the cause was a gunshot wound to the chest.

DPS said Officer Apolonio Gomez attempted to pull Navarro over for a traffic stop in New Braunfels, but Navarro drove away, leading him on a high-speed chase that ended in a crash in Converse on April 29, 2024.

According to law enforcement, Gomez has been with the agency for more than seven years.

Before Gomez fired his weapon, DPS said Gomez tried to shock Navarro with a Taser, but it didn’t work.

Two videos obtained by KSAT showed the moments before the shooting, which a law enforcement expert said raises questions.

Gomez has not been charged in connection with the shooting. He faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Navarro’s family.

In a written response to the federal lawsuit, Gomez defended his actions.

On October 26, Navarro’s attorneys filed a motion to stay the lawsuit because the evidence used in the lawsuit is not available while the Texas Rangers conduct a criminal investigation into the shooting.

In a statement to KSAT on Friday, Mata said the investigation into the shooting is ongoing and there is no timeline for when it will be completed.

KSAT learned that Navarro had a criminal past, including an active warrant for his arrest when he was shot.

“Luis had faults and made mistakes, but he was part of our family and will be missed by many,” Navarro’s family said in a statement released after the shooting.

Read more about the coverage KSAT Investigations Page.