An investigation is underway following a deadly encounter between police and a suspect on December 16 on East 6th Street in Austin, Texas, as reported by the Austin Police Department (APD). Officers were notified by a complainant that Trei Michael Adriec Hernandez was allegedly trying to enter a bar with a gun.
In quick response, officers reached the scene and were informed by a bar employee that Hernandez was armed and refusing to be searched, which is a breach of Texas law prohibiting weapons in bars. Faced with the officers' approach, Hernandez drew his weapon and pointed it at both law enforcement and bystanders, prompting the officers to fire their duty weapons. In the ensuing gunfire, Hernandez was fatally shot and pronounced dead shortly after midnight, per an official statement by the APD.
The violent confrontation injured three bystanders, sending them to the hospital with one sustaining serious injuries and the others with non-life-threatening conditions. None of the three APD officers involved were injured. The department is now working to determine the origin of the shots that injured the bystanders, whether they were fired by Hernandez or the officers during the incident.
All officers involved in the shooting, with nine, 11, and 13 years of service respectively, have been placed on administrative duty following department protocol. In line with APD policy, footage from the officer's body-worn cameras is expected to be released within ten business days of the incident. APD is conducting two separate investigations in collaboration with the Travis County District Attorney's Office and is under the oversight of the Office of Police Oversight. Those with information related to the shooting are encouraged to contact APD’s Special Investigations Unit or submit tips anonymously through Capitol Area Crime Stoppers.
