Man on Texas death row for killing APD officer found dead in bunk
The man on Texas death row for the killing of an Austin Police officer in 2012 was found dead in his bunk Saturday, according to state prison officials.
Brandon Daniel was convicted and sentenced to death by a Travis County jury for the fatal shooting of Austin Police Officer Jaime Padron.
It happened April 6, 2012, at a Walmart in North Austin. Padron was attempting to detain Daniel for shoplifting when the two fell to the ground in a struggle. Daniel pulled out a gun from his waistband and shot Padron in the neck. Padron died at the scene.
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A spokesperson for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) says that early Saturday morning a correctional officer at the Polunsky Unit in Livingston was conducting security rounds when he discovered Daniel unresponsive on his bunk.
Life saving measures were initiated, and a short time later EMS personnel arrived at the facility and continued efforts to resuscitate Daniel, but he was pronounced deceased a short time later.
TDCJ says an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death, but an initial investigation indicates that foul play does not appear to be a factor.
Further details were not immediately available.
