4 Dead, Including SWAT Officer, in Austin Hostage Incident

In the early hours of Saturday in Austin, Texas, a tragic incident unfolded as a suspect, holding several individuals hostage, resulted in the death of three people, including a police officer. Another officer and an additional person sustained injuries during the shootout before the suspect was ultimately fatally shot by SWAT officers, according to authorities.

The Austin Police Department received a distressing 911 call at 2:49 a.m. from a woman in distress, reporting a stabbing. Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson shared during a Saturday news conference that officers arrived at the location 12 minutes later, discovering two other injured victims within the home alongside the suspect. A third victim managed to escape the house and was located in the neighborhood by first responders. This victim informed officials that the suspect still possessed a knife and was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment.

At 3 a.m., officers made a forced entry into the residence while identifying themselves. However, they faced gunfire from the suspect and withdrew from the premises without returning fire, officials said.

SWAT was summoned to the scene due to the suspect barricading themselves inside with two hostages. Upon entering the residence at 4:11 a.m., SWAT officers were again met with gunfire from the suspect. In response, the officers returned fire, resulting in the suspect’s demise at the scene, Henderson reported.

In the exchange, two officers sustained gunshot wounds, with one being declared dead at a local hospital. The other officer is in stable condition. Tragically, the two hostages within the residence were also pronounced dead at the scene, officials confirmed.

The investigation is ongoing.

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