Screenshot 2023 12 17 at 3.16.15 PM — Austin Police close off part of 6th Street after a shooting Saturday, December 16. (KXAN Photo/Tim Holcomb)

Tragedy strikes Austin’s Sixth Street as an officer-involved shooting claims one life and injures bystanders. Investigations underway to unravel the unsettling events.

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In a tragic turn of events, one person lost their life, and three bystanders were injured in an officer-involved shooting on Sixth Street in Austin. The incident occurred late Saturday evening when police responded to reports of an individual attempting to bring a gun into a bar. The situation escalated when the suspect brandished the firearm, prompting officers to open fire.

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Investigations Launched Amidst Uncertainties

Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson addressed the media, providing initial details about the shooting. The suspect, who pointed the gun at officers and bystanders, was fatally shot. However, three innocent bystanders sustained injuries, raising questions about the origin of the shots. Two parallel investigations, one criminal and the other administrative, have been initiated to scrutinize the suspect’s actions and the officers’ response.

The vibrant atmosphere of Austin’s Sixth Street took a dark turn when an officer-involved shooting unfolded late Saturday night. Responding to a report of an individual attempting to bring a gun into a bar, Austin Police found themselves in a tense situation as the suspect, upon confrontation, brandished the firearm in the direction of officers and innocent bystanders.

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Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson, in a press conference, revealed that three uniformed officers discharged their weapons, fatally striking the suspect. Tragically, three bystanders were also injured in the chaotic exchange of gunfire. Questions arose about the source of the shots that injured the bystanders, leading to dual investigations—a criminal inquiry into the suspect’s actions in collaboration with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and an administrative probe into the officers’ response.

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Henderson addressed the uncertainties surrounding the incident, mentioning the “indications” that the suspect may have fired his gun. The identities of the deceased suspect, injured bystanders, and the officers involved remain undisclosed. Body camera footage capturing the entire incident will be released to the public within 10 business days, adhering to department policy, but the availability might extend into the new year due to the holiday period.

This incident follows the city’s Safer Sixth Street Initiative launched after a deadly shooting in June 2021. The initiative aimed at enhancing safety measures with additional surveillance cameras, critical incident training for bars, and improved response time for first responders.

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