APD officers use of deadly force justified in 2019 shooting, says Travis County DA

AUSTIN, Texas - Travis County District Attorney Margaret Moore released a statement on the 2019 officer-involved shooting that lead to the death of 27-year-old Paul Cantu. 

According to the statement, the District Attorney's office has concluded it's review of the Austin Police Department's investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the shooting.   

It has been determined that the officer's use of force was justified under the applicable Texas law governing when an officer may use deadly force. 

"In accordance with the Office’s policies, District Attorney Margaret Moore will not present this case to a grand jury and has issued a declination letter summarizing the facts of the investigation and the legal analysis forming the basis for her decision," the office stated. 

In the early hours of January 29, 2019, APD officers Luis Camacho and Robert Mattingly responded to a report of a man driving a 2019 black Chrysler who had evaded a traffic stop in South Austin. 

The two officers arrived as backup to a patrol supervisor who had located the Chrysler and was communicating with the driver, Cantu, who at the time was on his knees with a gun in his hand. 

According to the statement, Cantu seemed distraught and stopped cooperating with police, stood up, and pointed his gun at the supervisor and Officer Mattingly. 

Responding to Cantu's actions, Officer Mattingly and Officer Camacho fired their weapons striking Cantu. 

Cantu was transported to a nearby hospital where he later passed away. 

According to the statement, the District Attorneys office has determined that each officer's use of deadly force was justified under the facts established in the investigation. 

A full discussion of the facts and a legal analysis will be published on the Travis County District Attorney's Civil Rights Unit Webpage.