The Austin Police Department is in the midst of an ongoing investigation into an officer-involved shooting that resulted in the death of a suspect on the night of September 10, 2024. The incident unfolded at 1724 West Anderson Lane just before 11 p.m., when APD received a 9-1-1 call describing a White male, later identified as Franklin Earl Miller, attempting to break into a business. According to the official press release, Miller appeared to be armed with a gun in his waistband, a detail observed through security camera footage reported by the caller.
Responding to the call, APD officers reached the scene at approximately 11:11 p.m. and engaged with Miller, who was not complying with their directions. Watching through their body-worn cameras, the tense scenario saw Miller make sudden movements and resist repeated commands to put his hands up. An object that appeared to be a pistol was grasped by Miller from his waistband during the encounter.
Efforts to de-escalate the situation continued for over fourteen minutes, with APD officers repeatedly urging Miller to put down his weapon. The stalemate persisted until Miller allegedly raised the gun toward the officers, prompting them to discharge their firearms at approximately 11:25 p.m. After the shooting, officers immediately attempted life-saving measures on Miller, who was later attended to by Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services but was pronounced deceased at the scene by 11:33 p.m.
The aftermath of the incident included no injuries to officers or bystanders. According to APD policy, body-worn camera footage capturing the incident is set to be released within ten business days. In the line of fire were five APD officers with varying experience ranging from four months to six and a half years, while a sixth officer deployed a pepperball launcher simultaneously. Separate criminal and administrative investigations are concurrently being conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit and the APD Internal Affairs Unit, with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight, the department clarified.
APD has called on anyone with additional information to reach out to their Special Investigation Unit or to report anonymously via Capitol Area Crime Stoppers.
