Food Influencer Fatally Shot By Police In Texas After Report Of 'Erratic Behavior'

Food influencer and chef Michael Duarte, known to his nearly one million Instagram followers as @foodwithbearhands, was fatally shot by police earlier this month after a confrontation in Castroville, Texas. He was 36. According to the Medina County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a 911 call on November 8 about "a male subject with a knife acting erratically." The California-based content creator's death comes just days after celebrating his wedding anniversary with his wife, Jessica.

Officials told TMZ that Duarte allegedly approached officers "threateningly" and refused multiple commands to get on the ground. Moments later, he reportedly charged toward a deputy while shouting, "I'm going to kill you." The deputy fired two shots, striking Duarte.

He received medical attention at the scene before being transported to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Duarte's passing was confirmed in a statement from his talent agency, Alooma Media Group, which described him as "a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person."

"His passion, professionalism, and creativity left a lasting mark not only on our team but on everyone who had the privilege of working with him," the agency wrote.

A GoFundMe campaign has since been launched to help cover funeral expenses and bring the food influencer home to California. Funds will also support Jessica and their six-year-old daughter, Oakley. "We ask that you lift Michael's family up in prayer during this extremely difficult time," the fundraiser reads.

Among the many tributes pouring in for beloved food creator Michael Duarte, one of the most heartfelt came from his longtime collaborators and friends at Bear Mountain BBQ.

"It's with heavy hearts that we share the unexpected loss of our dear friend and teammate, Michael Duarte," the company wrote in an emotional statement. "From the very beginning, Michael was part of the Bear Mountain BBQ story, not just behind the camera, but in the heart of our community."

The tribute celebrated Duarte's unmatched creativity, describing how every brainstorming session began the same way, "So, I've got this idea…" a phrase that often led to something "new, inspiring, and full of possibility." His colleagues remembered him as someone whose "creativity had no limits," and whose passion for storytelling through food "was real, genuine, and full of heart."

Beyond his professional brilliance, Bear Mountain BBQ honored the food influencer as "a proud dad who lit up every time he spoke about his daughter" and "a devoted husband whose love for his family was the center of everything he did." "There's no replacing someone like Michael," the tribute continued. "His loss leaves a space that can never be filled, but his spirit, his energy, his passion, and his creativity will always be part of us."

In the days following Michael Duarte's passing, his wife Jessica Duarte shared a heartbreaking message on Instagram that left fans and fellow creators in tears.

"It's been 24 hours since my world came crashing down. I'm numb, angry, and depressed. Words can't describe this kind of pain," she wrote on her private Instagram page, per Us Weekly. "I never thought I would be writing this. To the world, you were foodwithbearhands, but to us, you were a loving husband and father. You didn't deserve this."

Jessica's post reflected both the depth of her grief and her determination to remain strong for their six-year-old daughter, Oakley. "I will love you forever, and I will be strong for our daughter, and I know how much you loved us," she continued. "If everyone can stop and please pray for our family. To my husband, I will miss you… until we meet again."

Duarte first began sharing cooking videos online during the COVID-19 pandemic, turning a hobby into a full-fledged career. "On my days off, I started posting food videos again, my first one was with my daughter," he wrote in his Instagram bio. "That's when I realized how happy creating content made me. Over time, I began to see it wasn't just a hobby, [but] it could be a business, something bigger than myself."

Known for his warm personality and creative recipes, Duarte's videos blended humor, heart, and a family-first spirit. Fans and fellow chefs have flooded his page with messages of love and disbelief.

RIP.