The Travis County Sheriff's Office is currently conducting an investigation after a deputy was involved in a parking lot shooting that left one person injured. According to a statement obtained by KXAN, the altercation occurred around 9:30 a.m. on FM 620, near Lake Travis, at the Randall’s parking lot. The events leading up to the shooting began to unfold when the Austin Police Department alerted the sheriff’s office about a possible stolen vehicle expected to enter their jurisdiction.
Within approximately 30 minutes, a deputy spotted the said vehicle and engaged with it, at which point a shot was discharged. The ensuing events are still being pieced together, with uncertainty looming over whether the bullet was fired from the deputy's weapon or another. Kristen Dark, TCSO Public Information Officer, said in a noon press conference Friday, "Investigators said they know a shot was fired, but they are not sure whose weapon was discharged." The deputy involved did not sustain injuries, while the other individual was transported to the hospital with injuries deemed non-life-threatening.
Several forms of evidence, including the deputy's dash cam, body cam, and other materials on the scene, are slated to be reviewed. The Texas Rangers were promptly dispatched to the scene to assist with the investigation because of the deputy's involvement, as reported by FOX 7 Austin. This is a common practice in incidents where law enforcement officers are directly involved in critical events.
The unfolding investigation is now being led by the Texas Rangers, with TSCO's Criminal Investigations Division working in conjunction with them to fully discern what transpired. The incident took place in the 5100 block of FM 620 after TCSO received a notification from the Austin Police Department at approximately 9:10 a.m. Details surrounding the altercation have yet to be fully disclosed as authorities continue to thoroughly examine the incident. "The investigation into what happened is now underway," acknowledged officials from the sheriff's office. As the inquiry proceeds, further information is expected to come to light regarding the circumstances of the gunshot and the conditions leading up to the incident.
