AUSTIN, TX – Late Saturday night, a fatal incident involving law enforcement unfolded on Sixth Street, leaving one person dead and three others injured.
According to Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson, the incident began shortly before midnight on December 16, when uniformed officers responded to a call about an individual trying to enter a bar in the 200 block of E. Sixth Street, armed with a firearm.
Upon arrival, the officers were directed to the armed individual by a bar employee. The suspect then brandished his weapon, aiming it at both the officers and nearby bystanders. In response, three officers discharged their firearms at the suspect, who sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was later pronounced dead at the scene.
While no officers were harmed in the incident, three bystanders were transported to the hospital for treatment. Henderson reported that one of the bystanders is in a critical state, while the other two sustained injuries that are not life-threatening.
The incident was recorded on body-worn cameras, with the footage expected to be released within the next 10 business days, in accordance with department policy. The officers involved, who have 9, 11, and 13 years of service respectively, will be reassigned to administrative duties as per department protocol.
The Austin Police Department (APD) will carry out two simultaneous investigations into the incident. The APD Special Investigations Unit will conduct a criminal investigation in collaboration with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, while the APD Internal Affairs Unit will oversee an administrative investigation, under the supervision of the Office of Police Oversight.
Anyone with information pertaining to this incident is urged to contact the APD’s Special Investigations Unit or the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers.