Austin, TX — Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis provided new details Wednesday about an officer-involved shooting and SWAT response in the 800 block of Camino La Costa, saying the incident began with a 911 call from a man reporting that he had been assaulted at gunpoint.
According to Davis, the victim told police he was sitting inside his vehicle when a stranger approached him. After the victim got out of the car, the suspect allegedly punched him twice in the face, placed a gun to his head and pistol-whipped him.
Officers arrived approximately four minutes after the 911 call.
Davis said one officer entered the apartment complex and spotted a man matching the suspect description about 50 feet ahead. After the officer exited the patrol vehicle, the suspect went behind a parked vehicle and fired several shots toward the officer.
The officer returned fire.
Police said the suspect then ran into his apartment inside the complex, prompting the extended police and SWAT response that led authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for nearby residents.
Approximately an hour and a half later, officers were able to bring the suspect out of the apartment and take him into custody. Davis said the operation ended without injuries during the apprehension.
Police have not publicly identified the suspect.
Davis also said nobody was in the parking lot during the exchange of gunfire and that the shooting remained confined to that area.
The officer involved has been placed on administrative leave.
APD expects to provide another briefing, potentially Friday or Monday, with additional information and video from the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Any criminal allegations against the suspect remain accusations unless and until proven in court.