Deaths in Custody
Died in jail or a lockup

Joshua Wright

36 years old · died December 12, 2022 · Hays County Jail, Hays County, Texas

Joshua Leon Wright, 36, was described by his family as a "big teddy bear" and a loving father to a 13-year-old daughter, and his sister said he was full of life. He was held in the custody of the Hays County Jail and was receiving medical treatment at Seton Hospital in Kyle, Texas, on December 12, 2022, when a Hays County corrections officer guarding him shot him. The Hays County Sheriff's Office said he tried to escape, assaulted the officer and ran through the emergency room before being shot, and the officer said he acted in self-defense. His family's attorneys dispute that account, saying he was shackled, was not running away, and was shot in the back at least six times, according to an autopsy they requested. Body camera footage released in 2024 has been reported on, a deadly conduct charge against the officer was dismissed at the family's request, and a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed.

Cause of death, as reported: Killed by staff (disputed). A Hays County corrections officer shot him at a hospital; the sheriff's office and the officer say the shooting was justified, while his family's attorney says an autopsy they commissioned shows he was shackled and shot at least six times from behind.

Reported by: Hays County Sheriff's Office (the agency that held him); family's attorney Chevo Pastrano (family or their lawyers); Hays County District Attorney's Office.

Lawsuit: A wrongful death lawsuit has been filed over Joshua Wright's 2022 shooting death at Seton Hospital in Kyle, and no settlement or verdict amount has been reported.

News reports (11)

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