AUSTIN, TX – An early morning violent incident on Bernoulli Drive in South Austin, resulted in the death of an Austin Police Department (APD) officer and a local inhabitant. The suspect was also reported dead when another civilian and an additional police officer were left injured.
Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson, stated that a frantic 911 distress call near 3 a.m. alerted the authorities to the incident involving a stabbing case at 9308 Bernoulli Drive. On arriving at the scene, the officers found two wounded individuals trapped inside the home with the suspect.
Henderson revealed that another female victim managed to escape the house and inform the police of the situation. She was transported to a local hospital by Austin-Travis County EMS (ATCEMS) after 3 a.m. Utilizing this essential information, the officers attempted a forceful entry into the home to rescue the remaining victims.
Officers, upon announcing their identity and entering the house, were met with gunfire from the suspect, resulting in their temporary retreat. At approximately 3:06 a.m., SWAT officers were called to the scene and nearby residents were evacuated to Cowan Elementary School for safety.
Following the arrival of the SWAT team, a second forceful entry ensued around 4:11 a.m., resulting in an exchange of gunfire at 4:15 a.m. During this dangerous standoff, two officers were reported to have been shot and were rushed to the hospital by ATCEMS.
Henderson later confirmed the death of an APD officer and the suspect due to the gunfire. Another officer was reported to be in stable condition after undergoing surgery. Two additional victims found inside the house were also declared dead at the scene.
The Austin Police Department will now conduct two investigations regarding this incident: a criminal probe alongside Travis County District Attorney’s Office and an administrative investigation with the Office of Police Oversight.
Mayor Kirk Watson took to social media to express his condolences, focusing on the bravery of the officers in the face of danger and the impact of this loss on the community.