Two APD Officers Caught in Line of Fire
Photo by KUT NewsBy Laura Rice
An Austin Police Officer is dead after being shot while trying to arrest a suspect early this morning. It happened around 2:20am at the Wal-Mart on Parmer and I-35.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo says Wal-Mart employees called police to report an intoxicated person at the store.
When the officer arrived, police say he made contact with the suspect and the man immediately began to fight with the officer. Police say the suspect then pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and shot the officer at point blank range in the neck area.
The officer was able to radio for help. Emergency responders tried to keep him alive, but the officer died in the store.
Chief Acevedo credits at least two Wal-Mart employees for tackling the suspect after the shooting and getting his gun away from him. When other officers arrived, they were able to take the shooter into custody. No one else was hurt.
Police are not yet releasing the name of the officer killed. He was with APD for about three years and had also worked as an airport police officer and with the San Angelo Police Department.
The officer leaves behind two daughters—ages 10 and six. Chief Acevedo says that the Austin Police Department intends to step in to make sure his family’s needs are met.
Acevedo says he would like to see the shooter face murder charges.
The Wal-Mart will be closed until 11:00 this morning.
Police do not believe the shooting was in retaliation to an officer-involved shooting Thursday evening.
In that incident, the officer shot and killed a motorist after a traffic stop that reportedly turned into a chase on foot. That incident happened in East Austin in the 6000 block of 51st street.
Police say the officer chased down the man and the two began a struggle. At one point, police say the suspect tried to take the officer’s gun. The officer then shot the man and emergency responders were not able to keep him alive.
The officer was injured.
