Robert Vancleave

Date: 12/22/2022        Location: Quitman, TX          FACTORS (1,2,8,11,19)       

Name: Robert Allen Vancleave                                 

Criminal History/Involved: Yes, Vancleave has prior arrests for assault, aggravated kidnapping, resisting arrest, evading arrest, marijuana possession, and driving while intoxicated. / Yes, Vancleave stole items from a store and fled from police.    

Mental Illness: Unknown.

Substance Abuse History/Involved: Yes, Vancleave has prior drug possession and DWI related arrests. / Unknown.

Race/Sex/Age: White/Male/55

Officer(s) involved: Mineola police officers                                                            

What prompted the initial contact with police? At around 2:45 p.m. on December 22, 2022, Mineola police officers responded to a 911 call of a man stealing from Walmart. Upon arriving at the scene the officers observed a vehicle matching the description which was being operated by Robert Vancleave. The officers attempted to conduct a traffic stop and one of them exited the police vehicle. 

Actions taken by subject towards police: Rather than comply with the police, Vancleave tried to run over the officer as he drove away from the Walmart.

Reactions by the police: The officers pursued Vancleave’s vehicle which ended up losing a tire and spinning before coming to a stop. Exiting their patrol vehicle to arrest Vancleave, the officers fatally shot him when he exited his vehicle.  

Outcome of investigation into the fatal police incident: The Texas Attorney General report stated Vancleave’s death was “justifiable homicide”.

What could the subject have done that day to still be alive today? Vancleave could still be alive today if he: did not steal from Walmart prompting a 911 call; did not flee from the police and try to run over an officer; surrendered to the officers and not made them fear for their lives.

Miscellaneous: Considering his prior arrests and how recently they occurred, Vancleave should have still been in prison instead of out committing more crimes.

Justified Use of Deadly Force? YES, Vancleave attempted to run over an officer and then again made the officers reasonably fear for their lives by his actions after exiting his vehicle as they attempted to arrest him.