Authorities in Texas have confirmed that food influencer Michael Duarte, known online as FoodWithBearHands, was shot and killed by police after allegedly threatening deputies during a confrontation earlier in November.
According to the Medina County Sheriff’s Office who spoke with TMZ, deputies responded to a 911 call on November 8 in Castroville, Texas, reporting a “male subject with a knife acting erratically.” When officers arrived, Duarte allegedly approached a deputy in a threatening manner while paramedics were already on the scene.
The sheriff’s office said Duarte ignored multiple commands to get on the ground before charging toward the deputy while yelling, “I’m going to kill you.” The deputy then fired two rounds from her weapon, striking Duarte. He was treated at the scene before being taken to University Hospital in San Antonio, where he was later pronounced dead.
Police confirm FoodWithBearHands’ cause of death
News of Duarte’s death initially spread after his talent agency, Alooma Media Group, announced he died on November 9. At the time, a GoFundMe shared by his family described it as a “horrible accident” while traveling in Texas, with no mention of a police encounter. The family and agency have not yet commented on the updated reports.
Duarte, who had more than two million followers across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, was widely known for his cooking videos featuring barbecue and grilling recipes. His death came just days after celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife Jessica, with whom he shared a six-year-old daughter.
The Medina County Sheriff’s Office has not said whether the incident was captured on body camera or if the deputy involved remains on duty. An investigation into the shooting is ongoing.
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