The shooting happened at Club Rodeo on North Lamar Boulevard just after 2 a.m. Sunday. Another man also faces a charge related to the incident.
AUSTIN, Texas — A 38-year-old man is facing six charges, including capital murder of a peace officer, after a Caldwell County deputy was killed in a shooting in North Austin on Sunday morning.
In an update on Monday, the Austin Police Department said the suspect, Thomas Vences, has an extensive criminal record, including prior convictions for burglary and family violence.
The incident happened at Club Rodeo at 9515 N. Lamar Blvd., near West Rundberg Lane, just after 2 a.m.
The Caldwell County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office said the deputy, later identified as Aaron Armstrong, was working an off-duty security position at the club. Armstrong had been with the constable’s office since October 2024.
Armstrong was wearing his body-worn camera at the time of the incident.
The shooting happened after Armstrong assisted in removing a man from the nightclub after an altercation with non-law enforcement security. According to APD, the man pushed Armstrong away before fleeing into the parking lot. During the interaction, Armstrong identified himself as police and warned the man he would be arrested.
Multiple other people allegedly attempted to block Armstrong from making an arrest. At this time, a handgun was pulled out and Armstrong was shot. Armstrong returned fire before falling unconscious.
Police said when officers arrived on the scene, they found Armstrong in the parking lot. He was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.
Vences was arrested around 3:45 p.m. on Sunday by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, with assistance from APD Air Support, the K9 unit and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
A second suspect and acquaintance of Vences, 22-year-old Ronaldo E. Colindres-Simon, was also arrested in connection with the incident and is charged with assault on a peace officer. He is accused of running over Armstrong’s limbs while driving away from the scene.
“When one of our own is taken, the weight of that loss is felt across the entire law enforcement community,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said in a press conference on Monday.
Davis said APD will be working to address safety concerns at Club Rodeo. The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is also assisting APD with its investigation.
APD is asking the public to review any cellphone or social media videos that may have captured any moments surrounding the fatal shooting of Armstrong. Tips can be submitted online or by calling the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588.