Featured Image Credit: Foodwithbearhands / Facebook
Police have revealed further details surrounding the death of food influencer Michael Duarte, claiming that he was shot after threatening to 'kill everyone' with a knife he was wielding.
Social media was in mourning earlier this week after it was revealed that Michael Duarte, otherwise known by his online moniker 'FoodWithBearHands', had suddenly died while on holiday in Texas with his family.
The incident occurred just three days after his wedding anniversary, and a GoFundMe with over $80,000 raised so far was set up in memory of the internet star, offering support to his wife Jessica and 6-year-old daughter Oakley.
Duarte was famous for his cooking and recipe content, garnering millions of followers across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube after switching from his restaurant career in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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However, Medina County Sheriff's Office have revealed further information surrounding Duarte's death, indicating that Duarte was shot by the sheriff's deputy after he threatened officers with a knife.
As reported by the New York Times, a 911 call was made at around 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, November 8, alerting officers to a 'male subject with a knife acting erratically'.
Duarte was reportedly 'out of control' and was deemed to be dangerous when officers arrived, threatening people with a knife, with the Sheriff's Office outlining that he was "exhibiting erratic behavior and making threats to kill everyone."
The office also adds that following attempts from officers to discharge the situation and get the influencer to drop his knife, "Duarte charged toward the Deputy while yelling, 'I'm going to kill you'. The Deputy discharged two rounds from her duty weapon," which eventually killed him after receiving treatment at the scene.
It's unclear what exactly led to and caused Duarte's violent outbreak, but he has previously expressed the struggles he has had with mental health, specifically having suffered a 'breakdown' during the pandemic.
This breakdown came from "feeling like I had failed at life" according to Duarte himself, adding that the whole situation "took a big toll on my confidence."
Duarte's talent agency has issued a statement to their Instagram page, asserting that the influencer was "a true and loyal partner, a trusted collaborator, and above all, a remarkable person."
His friend and fellow chef David Figueroa has also added his thoughts, calling Duarte "a true creative force with perfect timing, comedy, and a knack for the dramatic. He poured his heart into everything he made and always called, so excited to show me his latest work."
