The Austin Police Department is in the midst of an investigation into an officer-involved shooting that took place on September 10. According to a recent press release, their focus remains on maintaining community trust, emphasizing the principles of transparency and accountability as they share preliminary findings of this critical incident.
To keep the public informed, APD has shared audio and video evidence within ten business days of the incident. While the materials have undergone redaction to preserve the investigation’s integrity and comply with state law, five officers who discharged their weapons and one who deployed a pepper ball launcher have been placed on administrative leave, according to standard protocol. Despite they are named after the event, it's stressed that what is released is "preliminary," we cannot forget the probing into this complex case continues.
Responding to a Prowler/Hot Shot call at 1724 West Anderson Lane, wherein a caller reported a white male—later identified as Franklin Earl Miller—allegedly attempting to break into her business while armed, APD dispatched officers who arrived within minutes. Despite the officers' attempts at de-escalation, the APD asserts that Miller was unresponsive to repeated commands and manifested a non-compliance accentuated by sudden movements. The confrontation escalated when Miller purportedly aimed what appeared to be a pistol towards the officers, prompting them to discharge their weapons.
After the shooting, the involved officers provided immediate life-saving measures following their use of force. Tragically, Miller was pronounced deceased by Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services at the scene. The involved, all six officers, are currently on administrative leave as the investigation persists. "No officers or other members of the public were injured during the incident," says the APD, which also makes it clear that the footage captured on the body-worn cameras does not necessarily serve as a holistic record of what transpired.
The information release is part of an effort to be open with the community, featuring a 9-1-1 audio file, police radio traffic, and visual recordings from Officer Daniel Jauregui’s body camera and Officer Joseph Browne's patrol car dash camera. These materials can be found on the Department's YouTube channel and other social media platforms. APD has encouraged anyone with additional information to come forward, offering ways to contact them or to submit tips anonymously through the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers.
