Austin police investigating officer-involved shooting in NE Austin

The Austin Police Department (APD) is launching two investigations into an officer-involved shooting that occurred near a Motel 6 in Northeast Austin on Sunday.

APD says the scene was in the area of 7114 N. I-35 service road.

The southbound lanes of the southbound service road near the 7100 block of IH-35 are currently closed due to the officer-involved shooting investigation. APD says that drivers should avoid the area, expect delays, and plan their route accordingly.

Earlier in the day, officers were called by the manager of a nearby Motel 6 where a woman had been shot and sustained life-threatening injuries around 3 p.m. 

The woman had left the scene in a vehicle and was transported to Dell Seton where she is now in stable condition, according to Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon. 

The shooter fled the scene according to APD. Chief Chacon confirmed during a media briefing Sunday night that the shooting incident APD was initially called out for is not connected in any way to the officer-involved shooting. 

Two officers remained in the area to canvass for video to assist with this investigation.

"As they were walking, and this was now at approximately 4:45 p.m., the officers were in the parking lot of the convenience store near the intersection of St. Johns and IH-35 when they heard multiple shots being fired from the intersection itself," Chief Chacon said. 

According to Chief Chacon, the officers observed a subject who appeared to be firing a weapon into a tent. 

After the two officers gave commands to the individual to get on the ground, the subject then turned and started firing at the officers. 

The officers returned fire, striking and causing the subject to fall to the ground. 

"Within seconds they were able to make physical contact with the subject, remove the handgun from his area, and they immediately began life-saving measures on him," Chief Chacon said. 

The subject succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 5:06 p.m.

The officers' body-worn cameras caught footage of the incident, and that footage will be released within 10 business days. 

The two officers will be placed on administrative duty, and two concurrent investigations will occur- one criminal investigation into the actions taken by the officers, and one administrative investigation. 

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