Albert Guerra, Jr., 35, died when Lubbock Police attempted to arrest him Friday morning. His family says he loved to play basketball, cook and be with his family.
Albert Jr. was a beloved son and brother, said Albert Guerra, Junior’s father.
“The only thing he broke was our hearts because I hate to see my son that way. He’s a good son,” he said.
Leading up to his death, the Guerra family says Junior was acting erratically for a couple days. His father said they didn’t contact law enforcement for those incidents because they knew he wasn’t going to voluntarily cooperate.
On Friday, the family decided to call law enforcement because Junior needed help.
“We wanted to help him. We didn’t want this. We wanted some help, and now we have to plan a funeral,” his father said.
At a news conference Friday, Lubbock Police Chief Greg Stevens said officers were called to assist EMS because a man was “in distress” and acting erratically.
Stevens said the call turned into a fight when Junior was being arrested for an outstanding warrant. That’s when officers tased him several times.
“I was actually outside. When the cops tried to go in, they tried to close the door on them. They pushed it open. I heard the taser I don’t know how many times. And then he walked outside. They followed him, tased him some more,” Junior’s father said.
Junior was taken to University Medical Center where he died. His father said this is the second son they’ve lost.
“Now I have to bury another one. I mean he’s the one that mowed my lawn. He means everything to me. He lived with me. I’m going to miss him,” the father said.
The two officers involved were placed on administrative leave because of the investigation.
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