Union: Austin police sniper kills man who took multiple shots at officers
A SWAT sniper killed a suspect who took multiple shots at police officers after barricading himself in an apartment in northeast Austin on Sunday night, according to a representative with the Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas.
AUSTIN (KXAN) — A SWAT sniper killed a suspect who took multiple shots at police officers after barricading himself in an apartment in northeast Austin on Sunday night.
Austin police responded to a SWAT situation at the Salado At Walnut Creek Apartments at 2104 East Anderson Lane near the U.S. 183 service road around 7:15 p.m. A woman told 911-operators that her husband had been drinking and was threatening to harm her so she locked herself in a back bedroom.
Police Chief Brian Manley said in a briefing that when officers arrived five minutes later, her husband was trying to get into the room where she was, and officers forced their way into the apartment.
They were able to get the woman out of the apartment and she was taken to a nearby hospital where she was treated for injuries.
- If you or a loved one needs help, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. If it is an emergency, please call 911 immediately.
Chief Manley said multiple commands were given to the 74-year-old suspect who barricaded himself inside for him to come out, but when he didn’t comply, the SWAT team was called and officers set up a perimeter around the apartment.
Officers also evacuated nearby tenants.
While officers continued to try to get the suspect to come out, he was seen near the window armed with a handgun. About six minutes later, Manley said the suspect opened the front door and fired multiple shots at SWAT team members positioned in front of the complex.
Several SWAT team members returned fire and the suspect was killed.
The officer involved is a 25-year veteran with the Austin Police Department and has been placed on administrative status while they conduct investigation, as is protocol.
People who have videos of the incident are asked to submit them to APD.
KXAN will update this story as more information becomes available.