The police have provided an update regarding the passing of food influencer Michael Duarte.
Duarte passed away after being shot by a deputy during an alleged altercation on November 8, with his death being confirmed at a hospital in San Antonio. The influencer, known for his grilling and barbecue recipe videos, had amassed approximately two million followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.
His agency, Alooma Media Group, announced his passing in an Instagram post, honoring him as a “true & loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person.”
Duarte leaves behind his six-year-old daughter, Oakley, and his wife, Jessica.
The police have now shared significant details about Duarte’s death in a public update regarding the unfortunate incident.
The cause of Duarte’s death has been identified as a gunshot wound.
His death has been officially classified as a homicide, although a representative from the Bexar County Medical Examiner’s Office noted that the autopsy results are still forthcoming.
According to USA Today, the Medina County Sheriff’s Office reported receiving a call on November 8 at 11:28 a.m. about a “disturbance involving a male subject with a knife acting erratically.”
The office further stated that a deputy found Duarte allegedly “making threats to kill everyone” and “attempting to assault Fire and EMS personnel.”
Despite receiving “multiple verbal commands” to lie on the ground, Duarte allegedly “charged toward the deputy while yelling, ‘I’m going to kill you,'” prompting her to fire her weapon twice.
Duarte was raised in Calipatria, a small city in California located near the US-Mexico border.
His culinary journey began at a small Mexican restaurant owned by his uncle, and he continued working in the restaurant industry as a young adult in the San Diego area.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Duarte shared on Instagram that he had entered rehab due to a “mental health crisis” before securing a new job and starting his social media journey.
In her first public remarks since her husband’s passing, Jessica vowed to “keep his legacy going.”
She expressed: “I feel so touched and proud to know so many people that he has inspired over his time here on earth.”
“He gave everyone every bit of him so it’s my turn to give it back. I’m not quite sure what that looks like yet but hopefully he will lead me on that path.”