An appeals court in Austin has overturned the conviction of police officer Christopher Taylor, who was previously found guilty of deadly conduct in the 2019 shooting of Mauris DeSilva, ruling that the shooting was justified based on the circumstances and evidence presented.
Austin police identified Robert Eugene Brashers, who died in 1999, as a new suspect in the 1991 Yogurt Shop murders of four teenage girls, based on DNA evidence, marking a significant breakthrough in the long-unsolved case that has garnered renewed attention through an HBO documentary.
Online influencer Brian Johnson, known as Liver King, was arrested in Austin for making terroristic threats against podcaster Joe Rogan after posting threatening messages on Instagram. He was taken into custody at the Four Seasons Hotel and charged with Terroristic Threat, a Class B misdemeanor.
Austin rescue crews discovered a body in Lady Bird Lake near Longhorn Dam after responding to a check-welfare call. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and the incident is not currently being investigated as a homicide. Authorities have stated that there is no known threat to the public and are asking anyone with information to contact the Austin Police Department.
A teenager was randomly attacked with a machete near Auditorium Shores in Austin, leading to injuries and a trip to the hospital. The suspect is in custody, and another person was chased by the attacker but managed to escape. Trail-goers are shaken by the incident and are reminded to stay vigilant while on the trail.
One person is dead and three others are injured after an officer-involved shooting on 6th Street in Austin. The incident occurred when officers responded to a report of an individual trying to carry a gun into a bar. The suspect pointed a gun at officers, leading to three officers discharging their weapons and hitting the suspect multiple times. Three bystanders also suffered gunshot wounds, and it is unclear whether they were shot by police or the suspect. The officers' body camera footage will be released within 10 business days, and the officers are on administrative duty pending an investigation.
The Travis County district attorney has dropped criminal charges against the majority of Austin police officers accused of excessive force during the May 2020 protests. Instead, the district attorney's office and the city of Austin have requested an investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division into the police response. Of the 21 officers initially charged, 17 have been cleared, while four will still be prosecuted. The decision aims to allow officers to return to their duties and promote transparency and trust in the community.
One adult was killed and another was transported to the hospital in a shooting incident in far north Austin. The Austin Police Department is investigating the incident, but no suspects are at large and there is no danger to the public. The shooting took place at a residence on Aspen Street.
A hostage standoff in South Austin resulted in the deaths of four people, including an Austin police SWAT officer, marking the first time in over a decade that an officer has been killed in a line-of-duty shooting. Two others were injured, including another SWAT officer who is in stable condition. The incident began when a woman called 911 for help, stating she was being stabbed. The suspect shot at officers when they entered the home, leading to a firefight. The gunman and two other individuals were found dead in the home. The Austin Police Department will conduct criminal and administrative investigations into the incident.
A SWAT police officer was killed and another officer was injured in a shooting in South Austin. The incident occurred after police received a 911 call reporting a stabbing. Upon arrival, the officers were shot at when they attempted to enter the house. SWAT officers later found the suspect barricaded inside with two hostages and exchanged fire. The injured officer is in stable condition. Two other individuals, including the suspect, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two investigations will be launched into the incident.
An Austin police officer was shot and killed in South Austin, marking the first officer killed in a line of duty shooting in a decade. Another officer was also injured and taken to the hospital. The incident occurred in the early morning, and two deceased individuals were found in the house. The suspect was shot and deceased at the scene. The nature of the call that drew officers to the location is unknown, but it has resulted in a SWAT situation. Police are evacuating neighbors and providing updates at a nearby school.
Austin Police are searching for a Hispanic male suspect, aged 16-17, in connection with a theft at a jewelry store in north Austin. The suspect asked about a gold chain, and when the store employee removed it from the case, he grabbed it and fled. The suspect is described as 5'5" or 5'6" with a thin build, weighing approximately 130 lbs, and was last seen wearing a white T-shirt and black basketball shorts. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program, with a potential reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
Austin Police are investigating a suspected homicide in central Austin near Middle Fiskville Road. There is no ongoing threat to the public. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Austin police are cautioning drivers after a woman was shot and killed in a road rage incident in north Austin. Homicide detectives have ruled it as a case of road rage, which they receive reports of on a weekly basis. The incident occurred when the victim got into a minor crash and pulled over to exchange information with the other driver. The suspect in the other vehicle shot and killed her. Road rage incidents have been on the rise in Austin, with an average of 11 cases per month in 2023. Police urge drivers to be respectful on the road and report any road rage incidents to 911.
Austin Police are investigating after a passerby discovered a body at John Trevino Jr. Metropolitan Park in far east Austin. The body was found in a woodline on the park's border, and authorities have not classified the death as suspicious. Further investigation is underway.