Anthoneil Williams II was fatally shot by Austin police officers after reaching for a water bottle in his waistband.
Austin police officers fatally shot 17-year-old Anthoneil Williams II in a community park early Friday morning. Surveillance video released by the Austin Police Department shows Williams walking toward a playground when officers asked him to show his hands. The footage indicates that Williams lifted his shirt and reached toward his waistband, leading three officers to open fire. Investigators later determined that the object Williams was reaching for was a water bottle, not a firearm. The 911 call reporting a teenager with a gun was actually placed by Williams himself. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated that the incident may have been "suicide by police" because the officers acted on the perception of a weapon in a seconds-long decision. The three officers involved remain on paid administrative leave. While some city leaders have called for greater transparency and mental health support, the Austin Justice Coalition and local rioters have demanded accountability for the police response.