‘Sad morning’: Suspected gunman arrested after 2 shot at Texas park

UPDATE: 11:07 a.m.: Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed the officer involved in an officer-involved shooting early on Wednesday morning, September 10, is in stable condition after they were rushed into emergency surgery. The officer, whose identity has yet to be shared, has been with the department for approximately five years, Davis said in a police briefing Wednesday.

“This has been a sad morning. It’s been a difficult time, for sure,” she said. “It is every chief’s nightmare to hear that one of their officers has been shot, and I certainly got that feeling this morning when I learned of this, but he is not only a hero, he is very brave, and he did an outstanding job, and I want to say again how thankful I am for him being okay.”

Davis said the injured officer, along with a few others, were doing a park curfew patrol and inspection when they came across a stolen vehicle. After calling a tow to come to Zilker Park, officers left that immediate area and continued patrolling the park for any other potential curfew violators. When the tow company arrived, the officer assisted with paperwork until they saw a man and a woman beginning to emerge from the wooded areas of the park.

As the officer gave commands to the two, Davis said the woman was in front of the man. The male suspect then reportedly raised his gun, fired and hit the woman in the back of the head. Davis confirmed Wednesday the woman had not been pronounced as of 10 a.m., but said her injuries are severe.

“I don’t think we’re gonna have a positive outcome for her,” Davis said.

After shooting the woman, the male suspect shot the officer, who was able to return fire. The suspect then fled the scene, leading to an ensuing manhunt in the immediate area. Police issued a shelter-in-place alert to area residents, and SWAT arrived on scene to assist in the search alongside Austin Police’s helicopter and K-9 dogs. 

Shortly later, an Austin ISD sergeant spotted a suspicious person near a school campus who matched the suspect description, and called it into 9-1-1. The sergeant then began to approach the suspect, who ran into the Barton Hills neighborhood and into a home. The suspect was shot by that homeowner, and Davis said he is in stable condition.

She also noted discrepancies in alerts sent to area, with the alerts downgraded to an “avoid the area” callout, which refers to an instance of high police presence and alerts people to not be driving in the area. That pivot, she said, was concerning given the active nature of the scene and the suspect was not yet in custody.

“I have serious concerns about why that happened myself, and I know there’s questions about why that happened myself, and I know there’s questions about that,” she said. “I will get to the bottom of why that happened and ensure that there’s processes in place to ensure that it does not happen again.”

Davis said Austin Police will deliver an additional media update later this week, where they will have more details about the shooting as well as the identities of the officer, woman and suspect involved.

UPDATE: 8:40 a.m.: Officials with the Austin Police Department confirmed a person had been taken in custody and is believed to be the individual connected to the officer involved shooting. More information will be shared at an APD media briefing later today at a time to be determined.

Original story

The Austin Police Department issued a shelter-in-place after an officer-involved shooting occurred early Wednesday morning, September 10, near Zilker Park. Police are still actively searching for the gunman as of 7 a.m. The alleged shooter is believed to be armed and dangerous, according to police.

The officer-involved shooting happened around 5 a.m. in the 700 block of Azie Morton Road, near Barton Springs Road and Chuy’s Mexican restaurant. One officer was injured, as well as another individual, according to police. Both are receiving care at a local hospital, according to law enforcement. Details of their conditions have not been released at this time.

Local police have said the gunman is at large and wearing a green shirt and tan pants. Police have asked residents to avoid the area and find alternative routes for their safety.

“He is considered armed and dangerous. If you see anyone suspicious, do not approach and call 9-1-1 immediately. For your safety, keep clear of the area,” police said.

Police said the department will provide more details in a media briefing at 8 a.m.

Check back for updates.

Zilker Metropolitan Park, located at 2100 Barton Springs Road, is Austin’s oldest metropolitan park. It’s known for hosting the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival in October.The park is located at the juncture of Barton Creek and Lady Bird Lake and comprises more than 350 acres of publicly owned land.