The American police fired two shots, causing Duarte serious injuries His family described what happened as “an unbelievable tragedy,” expressing deep shock at his loss

Authorities in Texas have confirmed the death of popular content creator Michael Duarte, known online as FoodWithBearHands, after police shot him while he was with his family in Castroville last Saturday.

According to a statement from the Medina County Sheriff’s Office, officers responded to an emergency call reporting a man “carrying a knife and acting erratically.” Upon arriving at the scene, a female officer fired twice, hitting Duarte and leaving him critically injured. He was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Duarte, a California resident, had been on a short family trip to Texas at the time of the incident.

“An Unbelievable Tragedy”

His family described the incident as “an unbelievable tragedy,” expressing their profound grief. In a statement posted on a GoFundMe page created to help cover funeral costs and the repatriation of his body to California, they wrote: “Michael’s passing came just three days after he and his wife Jessica celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary.” Duarte leaves behind his wife and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley.

Duarte was a beloved figure in the online culinary world, amassing nearly two million followers across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. He was known for his creative recipes that blended innovation with a sense of family warmth. His Instagram bio read: “My goal is to share food with those who need it most.”

Just weeks before his death, Duarte shared a heartfelt post about his journey — growing up without a father in Calipatria, California, and finding inspiration in his uncle, Arthur Barros, who owned a small Mexican restaurant called Nana Dora’s. It was there, at just fourteen, that Duarte took his first steps into the culinary world.

Mental Health Struggles

Duarte also opened up about his struggles with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, revealing that he had entered a rehabilitation center before rediscovering his passion for cooking and content creation. “When I started making videos, I realized how much joy it brought me,” he wrote. “Over time, I understood that cooking wasn’t just a hobby — it became my purpose and a new life.”

So far, authorities have not released police bodycam footage or additional details about the incident, leaving lingering questions about whether the shooting was justified or a tragic act of unnecessary escalation.