The Austin Police Department is currently conducting a thorough investigation into an officer-involved shooting, which transpired in the early hours of May 27, the official details of which were conveyed in a recent press release. The incident, unfolding at an apartment on Tech Ridge Boulevard, involved APD Officer Cody Schulz, a six-year veteran of the force now on administrative leave following policy after discharging his firearm during the altercation, and APD Officer Alexis Cruz, whose body camera footage is said to provide a more comprehensive view of the events.
In the aim of bolstering trust and transparency with the public, APD, in partnership with the Office of Police Oversight and the City of Austin, has made available audio and video material related to the investigation, albeit with certain redactions to honor both legal restrictions and the ongoing investigative processes. It was approximately 1:34 a.m. when APD responded to multiple distress calls from the 12500 block of Tech Ridge Boulevard, reporting a male and female in a vehement dispute, the commotion had spilled onto a patio before moving back inside; within a quarter hour, officers arrived and navigated their way to the apartment in question.
Upon reaching the residence and forcefully entering to prevent further harm given the urgency of the situation, officers encountered Ensel Maclare-Urgelles engaged in an apparent violent act against a female, prompting Officer Schulz to take immediate action to ensure her safety. The encounter, ending with the suspect being shot and both he and the injured female receiving emergency medical treatment, proved fatal for Mr. Maclare-Urgelles and life-altering for the female victim who, despite serious wounds, survived and has been released from the hospital as detailed in the press release.
The materials provided by APD to the public include the body-worn camera footage from both Officer Schulz and Officer Cruz, radio traffic audio, and two 9-1-1 call recordings, available on APD's YouTube Channel for the sake of accountability, their actions during the incident on full display even as they caution viewers of the footage's graphic nature. APD encourages anyone who might possess additional information to come forward and contact their Special Investigation Unit or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers, assuring anonymity for those who prefer it.
