AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police chief Lisa Davis provided an update and shared body camera footage on Saturday following a shooting involving two Austin Police Department officers that occurred earlier this week.
The two officers are currently on administrative leave, per department policy, after shooting a man who allegedly tried to run from a traffic stop early Wednesday morning. One officer has been with APD for one year and seven months, while the other has spent four years and six months with the department.
According to Davis, the incident occurred in the 800 block of E. Braker Lane at around 12:40 a.m. on Wednesday, May 7.
Officers performed a traffic stop on a vehicle that failed to use a turn signal. The vehicle was driven by a woman, who was accompanied by a man in the passenger seat and a young child in the backseat.
Body camera footage showed one of the officers asking the man, identified as 26-year-old Branson Berreles, to step out of the vehicle after he said he didn’t have identification.
Berreles stepped out of the vehicle, but as the officer began to pat him down, he pushed through the officer and began running away on foot.
As the officer reached for him, Berreles turned and pulled away, then reached towards his right hip area at his waistband. He then turned sideways in a defensive, or what police referred to as a “bladed” stance, and appeared to attempt to grab a gun from his waistband.
The two officers then began firing and shot Berreles. More officers arrived at the scene and restrained Berreles before performing life-saving measures.
Officers say they located a gun in the area that Berreles reached towards, as well as multiple magazines on his person.
Berreles was then taken to the hospital and underwent surgery. He is currently in critical condition, according to Davis.
Charges against Berreles are pending, and the specific charges that will be filed against him are still being decided.
APD said the woman and child were unharmed during the incident. It is unclear what relationship Berreles had to either.
According to Davis, Berreles has an extensive rap sheet, with outstanding warrants.
Davis said the investigation remains ongoing.
Via KVUE