The Austin Police Department launched a formal investigation after two police officers fired their weapons at a robbery suspect yesterday afternoon. APD Chief Art Acevedo says it started when a man allegedly robbed a gas station on South Congress near Pickle Rd.
"The first shooting was right here, just south of the Bel Air Motel, on the west side of South Congress," Acevedo said in a news conference near the crime scene.
"As the officer spotted the suspect running, the officer pulled in to the parking lot, right there at that location," Acevedo said, gesturing towards the motel located near the St. Edward's University campus.
Acevedo says the suspect approached the police officer with a weapon and the cop "fired several rounds, left to right, across his police car through his closed window at the suspect."
The officer missed the suspect, Acevedo said. The man then reportedly ran through the motel parking lot and through an external passageway. Police gave chase on foot and one officer fired at least two more rounds that did not hit the suspect.
But police eventually caught up with the man, and immobilized him with a Taser. He was placed under arrest.
APD will conduct two investigations into the officer-involved shooting, one with the help of the Travis County District Attorney's Office.
Both officers who fired their weapons will be placed on administrative leave for now. They will also have to take a drug test.
