Update (5:49 p.m.): 24-year-old Brandon Montgomery Daniel has been charged with capital murder after allegedly shooting and killing Senior Police Officer Jaime Padron last night. In a press conference at 5:00p.m. this evening, Police Chief Art Acevedo said Daniel moved to Austin from Fort Collins, Colorado about a year ago.
Acevedo also noted that this was the first time during his tenure as Police Chief that two officers were involved in deadly encounters in the same day. "This is the most trying day of my five years here," said a teary-eyed Acevedo. "There are a lot of tears flowing, there is a lot of hurt."
Acevedo praised the Wal-Mart employees who were able to detain Daniel at the scene after the shooting. "That selfless act is the beginning of the healing process for this department."
Update (12:24 p.m.): Details continue to emerge about Senior Police Officer Jaime Padron, and the shooting last night at an area Wal-Mart that took his life.
In a fundraising email soliciting contributions for Officer Padron’s family, The 100 Club of Central Texas says:
A former Marine, Officer Padron had been with APD for more than three years. Prior to that, he had been a Bergstrom International Airport police officer and before then served 14 years with the San Angelo Police Department in West Texas. He leaves behind two daughters, ages 10 and 6 as well as parents and other family members who live in San Angelo.
At a press conference this morning, APD characterized Padron’s shooter as an Asian adult male. The Network of Asian American Organizations issued the following statement this morning:
As you are aware, early this morning a man believed to be Asian shot and killed Austin Police Officer Jaime Padron at the Walmart on Parmer and IH-35. On behalf of the Network of Asian American Organizations and the Asian community, we would like to send our condolences, thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of Officer Padron. The NAAO fully supports the Austin Police Department and the City of Austin.
At the press conference, Police Chief Art Acevedo said he would like to see the suspect face murder charges. Chief Acevedo added that Officer Padron never even had the chance to unholster his weapon. Austin Police also believe the shooting was caught on security cameras in the store.
Update (10:40 a.m.): APD states that Senior Police Officer Jaime Padron was the officer killed last night. The San Angelo Standard-Times reports Officer Padron formerly served on the San Angelo police force before joining APD. A memorial page has apparently been set up honoring Padron.
Update (10 a.m.): APD reports that businesses in the shopping center surrounding the Wal-Mart at 12900 N. Interstate 35 will be open as normal, but the Wal-Mart and the parking lot are closed until further notice. Earlier reports stated the Wal-Mart would be opening later this morning.
APD also states they anticipate holding a 4 p.m. press conference to discuss both officer-involved shootings.
Original post: An Austin Police Officer is dead after being shot while trying to arrest a suspect early this morning. It happened around 2:20 at the Wal-Mart on Parmer and I-35.
Austin Police Chief Art Acevedo says Wal-Mart employees called police to report an intoxicated person at the store.
When the officer arrived, police say he made contact with the suspect and the man immediately began to fight with the officer. Police say the suspect then pulled out a semi-automatic pistol and shot the officer at point blank range in the neck area.
The officer was able to radio for help. Emergency responders tried to keep him alive, but the officer died in the store.
Chief Acevedo credits at least two Wal-Mart employees for tackling the suspect after the shooting and getting his gun away from him. When other officers arrived, they were able to take the shooter into custody. No one else was hurt.
Police are not yet releasing the name of the officer killed. We do know that he was with APD for about three years and had also worked as an airport police officer and with the San Angelo Police Department.
The officer leaves behind two daughters—ages 10 and six. Chief Acevedo says that the Austin Police Department intends to step in to make sure his family’s needs are met.
“It’s a tragedy on Good Friday to lose an officer like this. But it’s part of what these men and women do. They know when they become police officers that this is ultimately the sacrifice they’re willing to make," said Acevedo.
Acevedo says he would like to see the shooter face murder charges.
Police say the businesses around Wal-Mart will be open for business today but the Wal-Mart parking lot and the store itself will be closed until further notice.
Police do not believe the shooting was in retaliation to an officer-involved shooting Thursday evening.
Another Austin Police officer shot and killed a motorist after a traffic stop that reportedly turned into a chase on foot. That incident happened in East Austin in the 6000 block of 51st street.
Police say the officer chased down the man and the two began a struggle. At one point, police say the suspect tried to take the officer’s gun. The officer then shot the man and emergency responders were not able to keep him alive.
The officer was injured.
