APD: Man killed in police shooting made Molotov cocktails inside gas station with employee inside
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police shot and killed a man during a SWAT situation in southeast Austin Tuesday where officers observed the subject pouring lighter fluid on the counter of a gas station and making Molotov cocktails while telling police he knew another person was inside, Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a media briefing Tuesday night.
This started around 12:30 p.m. near the intersection of Salt Springs Drive and Thaxton Road, which is east of I-35 between William Cannon Drive and Slaughter Lane. No officers or other people were hurt.
Below is a timeline of events mapped out by APD.
12:36 p.m.: Officers observe stolen vehicle on Salt Springs Drive and see it turn into a gas station.
The driver – and sole occupant – enters the store at the gas station.
Police follow man inside, see he has a gun.
Man does not comply to officer’s commands to drop firearm. APD pulls back and calls SWAT.
An employee who left the gas station tells APD another employee is still inside, locked in an office.
Police see man pacing with a gun in hand, pouring lighter fluid over the counter and making suicidal threats.
Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) negotiators with trauma-informed training come in and negotiate with suspect.
Suspect still doesn’t comply and said he knew someone else was inside.
Suspect threatens officers.
4:49 p.m.: Officers see man making Molotov cocktails, gun still in hand.
4:50 p.m.: Officer shoots suspect
Once police officer shot the man. Some officers retrieved the employee who was still inside, and others tried to save the suspect’s life, but the suspect died, Henderson said. She said the suspect shot at officers multiple times throughout the incident.
Texaco gas station which was the scene of an officer-involved shooting following a SWAT call in southeast Austin May 21 was damaged during the incident. (KXAN Photo/Dylan McKim) Texaco gas station which was the scene of an officer-involved shooting following a SWAT call in southeast Austin May 21 was damaged during the incident. (KXAN Photo/Dylan McKim) Tuesday’s deadly SWAT situation happened in southeast Austin on Salt Springs Drive between William Cannon and Slaughter.
The officer who fired their weapon is now on administrative leave, per department protocol. They have 16 years of experience with APD.
Moving forward, the department will run two concurrent investigations: one into the incident and an internal one into the officer’s use of force. Police have not released the name of the suspect.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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