APD: Suspect dies after shooting involving police, woman in critical condition after being stabbed

AUSTIN (KXAN) — A woman stabbed “multiple” times inside a north Austin apartment early Monday suffered life-threatening injuries and is in critical condition, according to the Austin Police Department, who say one of their officers shot and killed the alleged attacker.

“Upon entry they observed a male on top of a female actively stabbing her with a knife,” said Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson. “To protect the life of the victim, the officer discharged his department-approved firearm, striking the male suspect.”

Police received at least two 911 calls around 1:34 a.m. and 1:36 a.m. that reported a disturbance at the San Paloma apartments on Tech Ridge Boulevard. One caller described hearing “yelling, screaming, banging and calls for help,” Henderson said.

WATCH: APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson’s news conference

“The caller advised they could hear neighbors in a nearby apartment arguing along with glass shattering and things being thrown,” she said that another caller reported.

The disturbance spilled out onto the patio at one point and lasted at least 10 minutes before the first 911 call was made, Henderson said.

To learn more about what happened, KXAN filed a public records request to obtain copies of those calls.

When officers arrived at 1:45 a.m., a woman flagged them down and pointed out the apartment. Police heard the commotion, knocked and announced who they were in English and Spanish. With no answer, the officers forced their way inside and shot the man, who Henderson said was “actively stabbing a woman.”

APD said the victim was removed from the room by officers who began life-saving measures. Once the scene was secured, officers began life-saving measures for the man as well.

The man was pronounced dead at 3:05 a.m. Police said that the relationship between the suspect and the victim is unknown at this time.

KXAN asked if police have ever been called to that apartment before, but so far have not heard back.

No other people were injured, according to APD.

Police said the incident was captured on body-worn cameras. Per APD policy, the video related to this incident will be released within 10 business days.

The officer who shot the suspect has five years of service with APD, and will be placed on administrative duty per APD protocol.

APD said it would conduct two concurrent investigations into the shooting—a criminal investigation conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and an administrative investigation conducted by the APD internal affairs unit with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight.

‘I feel pretty safe here’

By Monday afternoon, police were still on site processing the crime scene.

Apartment complex resident Lily Mejia said she didn’t know someone was stabbed hours earlier in a neighboring apartment, until KXAN told her.

“That’s really scary, wow,” she said. “That’s crazy. I was actually up at that time. I didn’t hear anything.”

Mejia has lived at the complex for two years and just re-signed her lease, because she said it is a safe, family-friendly area.

“I’ve never heard of any other problems here,” she said. “I feel pretty safe here. So, the fact there was something that happened last night is a little concerning but hoping it’s not like a continuous issue…I’m hoping it’s not an issue for the community. I don’t know, that sounds really scary.”

Others who spoke with KXAN while coming or going from the complex said they weren’t phased.

“No, I mean it happens,” said one man, when asked if the stabbing made him nervous. “It’s been happening all over Austin.”

“I mean this stuff happens every day,” a food delivery driver said. “You know, I got to keep my own peace, not worry about it.”

Stabbing deaths rare in Austin

KXAN investigators compiled and analyzed data from APD news releases. We found stabbing murders are rare compared to shooting-related deaths. Since 2018, there have been 36 total stabbing deaths. In that same timeframe, there were 287 deaths from gunfire.

MAP: Where have Austin’s homicides occurred in 2024?

• 2024: 19 shooting deaths, 2 stabbing deaths

• 2023: 61 shooting deaths, 7 stabbing deaths

• 2022: 53 shooting deaths, 7 stabbing deaths

• 2021: 74 shooting deaths, 5 stabbing deaths

• 2020: 34 shooting deaths, 8 stabbing deaths

• 2019: 23 shooting deaths, 5 stabbing deaths

• 2018: 23 shooting deaths, 2 stabbing deaths

Anyone with information is urged to call the APD Special Investigations Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capital Area Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.