Police officer, 2 hostages killed in Austin
AUSTIN (CBSNewsTexas.com) - The Austin Police Department is investigating a hostage situation that happened overnight, leaving one officer and two victims dead, with a second officer in stable condition at a local hospital. The suspect is deceased.
During a press briefing Saturday morning, Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson shared details on the developing story.
"This has been a very tragic day," she said. "A very tragic incident for all involved."
First responders received a 911 call at 2:49 a.m. coming from 9308 Bernoulli Drive.
"A caller was screaming for help," Henderson shared. "The caller provided more details and said someone was stabbing her."
Officers arrived at the scene at 2:57 a.m., where they discovered there were two other people injured inside the home with the suspect. Before the officers got there, though, a third victim escaped and was taken to a local hospital.
At 3:00 a.m. officers announced and identified themselves before forcing their way into the home. That's when the suspect started shooting at them. The officers backed out without returning fire. At 3:06 a.m., SWAT was called out to the scene—they arrived another hour later at 4:11.
The SWAT officers also forced their way into the home, at which point the suspect and officers exchanged gunfire.
At 4:15, it was communicated over radio that two officers had been shot. They were taken to a local hospital, but one of the SWAT officers died from his injuries, according to Mayor Kirk Watson's chief of staff.
Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson identified the fallen officer as SPO Jorge Pastore.
Pastore joined APD with the 141st Cadet Class on June 24, 2019, and was commissioned as an officer on Jan. 31, 2020. He was an active member of the Honor Guard, SWAT Gold Team, CAST and SRT and patrolled in the Henry and George sectors.
My heart is heavy today. Please help me and our APD family pay tribute to SPO Jorge Pastore for his brave & heroic actions. Sir, we’ll take it from here.
Thanks for all the prayers & thoughts. Continue to keep the Pastore family and our second Officer injured in your prayers. pic.twitter.com/237uLZixS4— Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson (@Chief_Henderson) November 11, 2023
The second officer is in stable condition.
The two victims inside the home were pronounced dead at the scene, as was the suspect.
Mayor Watson responded to the tragedy on X saying, "My heart and the hearts of Austinites are broken this morning. This is a horrible moment for our city and those who protect us."
My heart and the hearts of Austinites are broken this morning. This is a horrible moment for our city and those who protect us.
I’m praying for the family of our fallen officer, for our officer who was shot and in surgery and his family.
Full statement: pic.twitter.com/be8QXJDBtx— Mayor Kirk Watson (@KirkPWatson) November 11, 2023
As did the City of Austin.
— City of Austin (@austintexasgov) November 11, 2023
Gov. Abbott also issued a statement, saying in part, "Hearts across Texas are grieving with the family and loved ones of the Austin Police Officer who was tragically killed in the line of duty early this morning, as well as another who faces a long journey to recovery."
Hearts across Texas grieve for the brave Austin police officer killed in the line of duty early this morning.
Join Cecilia & me in praying for this hero’s family, the injured officer undergoing surgery, & the entire Austin community.
Full statement: https://t.co/iOLrONQ19n pic.twitter.com/3nGKix4AvA— Gov. Greg Abbott (@GovAbbott) November 11, 2023
A number of police departments offered their condolences, as well, including Richland Hills Police Department, Grand Prairie Police Department and Grapevine Police Department.
A tragic day for the Austin community. We offer our full support and condolences to @Austin_Police and their loved ones as they mourn their officer who was shot and killed in the line of duty, and a second officer injured. We also pray for the other victims killed by the suspect. pic.twitter.com/mb5PNtqIc9
— Grapevine Police (@GrapevinePolice) November 11, 2023
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