Texas Sheriff’s Deputy Shoots Domestic Violence Suspect in Self Defense

An Austin woman called 911 on Monday to report a domestic violence incident. She had locked herself in a bathroom to hide from her violent boyfriend.

Police officers from the Austin Police Department were dispatched and Travis County Sheriff Deputies were also called to assist in the domestic dispute confrontation. The incident occurred in the 11000 block of Johnny Weismuller Lane in Austin, Texas.

When the law enforcement officers arrived, the woman’s boyfriend walked out of the residence with a revolver. He acted aggressively, pointing the revolver at police officers and sheriff’s deputies. Two officers, one from the Austin Police Department and a deputy from the Travis County Sheriff Department, each fired a round in self defense at the woman’s boyfriend.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Deputy fired the shot that killed the woman’s boyfriend. His shot hit the man in the chest. The incident occurred just after 3 a.m. in South Austin.

The Travis County Sheriff’s Deputy was put on administrative leave pending an investigation, which Austin Police Department officials say is routine following a shooting involving a police officer.

The Austin Police Chief said, “It was a tragic incident where someone’s life is taken. Unfortunately in law enforcement, you have to defend yourself and in this instance, from what we’re seeing so far, it appears it was a lawful shooting.”

Audio and video tapes taken at the scene of the incident are expected to be released shortly.