Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis Identifies Anthoneil Williams II as the 17-Year-Old Killed in Officer-Involved Shooting
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis confirmed that Anthoneil Williams II, a 17-year-old, was killed by police officers during a mental health crisis in Northeast Austin. The incident occurred early Friday morning when officers responded to a 911 call from the teenager's own phone reporting a person brandishing a gun. Body-camera footage revealed that Anthoneil Williams II reached for his waistband, prompting officers to open fire. It was later discovered that he was unarmed, carrying only a water bottle in his waistband. Chief Lisa Davis characterized the event as a potential "suicide by police" incident, noting that the teenager appeared to intend to provoke the officers. The three officers involved have been placed on administrative leave. While some city leaders and advocates call for more mental health resources, the Austin Police Association president, Michael Bullock, defended the officers' rapid decision-making. Bullock noted that officers must make life-or-death decisions in real-time without the ability to pause or rewind the action.