The Austin Police Department (APD) is actively investigating an officer-involved shooting incident that transpired in the early hours of Sunday, October 12, 2025. According to APD's report, at around 12:38 a.m., Officer James McKinney, with one year and five months of service under his belt, was on patrol when he observed a suspect discharging a firearm from a moving vehicle around Northgate Boulevard and Rundberg Lane. No victims were found, but ballistic evidence confirmed the shooting.
Continuing to adhere to policy, APD has released preliminary details of the incident to foster transparency within the community. Efforts to fully investigate the shooting are underway, with parallel criminal and administrative inquiries in collaboration with the Travis County District Attorney's Office and Austin Police Oversight. Officer McKinney has been placed on administrative leave, as is customary in such situations. APD highlighted its intent to "build relationships within the Austin community" and has released audio and video materials from the ongoing investigation to the public. However, to strictly maintain the integrity of the ongoing case, some information has been redacted from these materials.
After the initial report of the shooting, Officer McKinney pursued the suspect vehicle until it slowed at the 9200 block of Parkfield Drive. The officer attempted to stop the vehicle without using his patrol vehicle's overhead lights or siren before ultimately discharging his weapon twice, as the vehicle turned onto Quail Park Drive. The scene that unfolded afterwards was captured on McKinney’s body camera and dash camera, providing partial insight into the dynamics of the incident.
The aftermath of the shooting led to the discovery of a 16-year-old male with a neck wound in the passenger seat of the vehicle, for which McKinney's response included administering life-saving measures ahead of the victim being transported for medical care. Charges are currently pending against the injured individual, while a 14-year-old male has been charged with evading on foot; APD is actively searching for one additional suspect related to the incident. The incident's gritty reality is reflected in the released footage, cautioning viewers about its graphic content and language.
APD is urging anyone with information on this case to reach out to the Special Investigation Unit or Capital Area Crime Stoppers to assist in the investigation. Their commitment to a thorough and transparent process is underscored by their timely release of the incident's details and the concurrent investigations being conducted to determine the full scope of the events that night.
