APD: Barricaded subject in East Austin now in custody

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department says a suspect involved in a barricaded subject call at an East Austin apartment complex is now in custody.

APD and SWAT units have been responding to the Quad East Apartments in the 1500 block of Wickersham Drive since early Tuesday evening.

During a media briefing Tuesday night, APD said that a disturbance, including screaming and yelling, had been heard inside an apartment. The disturbance was still going on when officers arrived. 

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APD says that when officers attempted to make contact with those inside the apartment, a man threatened to shoot them if they tried to come inside. Officers also reportedly heard what sounded like a firearm being loaded from inside the apartment. 

At that point, APD says a SWAT team was called in to respond. SWAT officers and hostage negotiators attempted to make contact with the man inside the apartment, but the man was uncooperative.

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An arrest warrant for terroristic threat against a peace officer was later obtained for the man after several attempts to get him to exit the apartment voluntarily, says APD. When officers went to serve the warrant, they learned that a woman was also inside the apartment with the suspect and possibly in distress and being held against her will.

Officers then forced entry into the apartment and were able to rescue the woman and take the suspect into custody, says APD. The woman was not injured.

APD is still investigating the scene and searching the apartment.

Residents were asked to avoid the area and were turned away from entering the complex, but some have been allowed back in. Wickersham Drive was closed from Elmont to Riverside.

This story is developing. Check back for updates.