Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis describes a 17-year-old teenager's death as a "suicide by police" after he was shot while unarmed.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis characterized the death of an unarmed 17-year-old teenager as a "suicide by police" following a Friday morning shooting in northeast Austin. The teen, who called 911 to report a person with a firearm in the area, was actually the caller. Body-camera footage shows the teenager reaching into his waistband as officers approached him on a playground. Although the officers believed he was drawing a gun, they discovered a water bottle in his waistband after he was struck by multiple rounds. The administration of the Austin Police Department has placed the three officers involved on administrative leave. While Chief Lisa Davis apologized to the family, she noted that officers must often make life-or-death decisions in seconds. Community advocates, including Chas Moore, argued that the incident highlights a need for better mental health crisis resources. The department is currently conducting both criminal and administrative investigations to determine if the officers' actions were reasonable given the rapidly evolving circumstances.