A Texas police officer with the Austin SWAT team was killed early Saturday morning in a shooting that left the gunman dead and a second officer injured.
Two other people were later found dead in a home in Austin, according to Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson.
An emotional Henderson, who paused frequently during a news conference and appeared to choke back tears, said officers were called to the home shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday morning by a woman screaming that she was being stabbed.
One person escaped from the home before officers arrived, Henderson said, telling police the man inside the home was armed with a knife.
Police then tried to enter the house and were met with gunfire, but no shots were returned.
Instead, officers retreated and called in a SWAT team, said Henderson, who did not answer questions and was surrounded by about 10 other officers during her remarks.
Saturday evening, the officer was identified as Jorge Pastore, a three-year officer with the department. Officer Pastore was a member of the SWAT team. He was married and had two stepsons.
Austin police SWAT officer Jorge Pastore was killed during a firefight Saturday morning. He is the first Austin officer in a decade to be fatally shot in the line of duty
Four people are dead, including Austin SWAT officer Jorge Pastore, pictured, after a shootout that occurred when police entered a home in an attempt to rescue two hostages
Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson tearfully spoke to the media Saturday about the shooting of an Austin Police Department officer
Austin police are investigating the crime scene after an Austin police officer was killed following a shooting in South Austin, Texas on Saturday
A second officer was injured early Saturday in the shooting that also left the suspected gunman dead
Members of the Austin Police Department are on scene investigating the shooting
Austin police are investigating the crime scene where the suspected gunman was also killed
“At 3:06 a.m., SWAT was called to the scene as the suspect was armed and barricaded in a residence and had two hostages,” Henderson explained. “At approximately 4:11 a.m., SWAT officers arrived on scene and entered the home a second time to rescue the victims.”
“SWAT officers arrived on scene and entered the residence … to rescue the victims,” Henderson said.
“When SWAT officers entered, the suspect immediately fired his handgun at the officers and the SWAT officers returned fire.”
Two officers and the suspect were struck by the gunfire. The suspect was killed at the scene and the two officers were taken to a hospital, where one died and the second was in stable condition, Henderson said.
“Two apparent victims of the suspect were located inside the residence with fatal injuries,” Henderson said.
An officer bows his head as interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson addresses the media
Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson speaks at a news conference about the shooting of an officer
Austin Police Department officers prepare to ride in a procession leaving Dell Seton Medical Center in downtown Austin following the shooting of a police officer early Saturday
A procession including Austin Fire, police and ambulance leaves Dell Seton Medical Center
Members of the Austin Fire Department bow their heads as they prepare to ride in procession with the fallen office
An Austin Police Department officer takes off his hat and leaves Dell Seton Medical Center in downtown Austin following the shooting death of a fellow officer
Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson speaks to the press about the shooting of an Austin Police Department officer
Multiple officers opened fire and the shooting will be investigated by both the Austin Police Department’s internal affairs division and the department’s Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, Henderson said.
No names have been released.
“My heart and the hearts of Austinites are broken this morning. This is a terrible moment for our city and those who protect us,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a statement.
“I pray for the family of our fallen officer, for our officer who was shot and underwent surgery, and for his family.
“We rely on courageous people who face danger as they serve us,” Watson said. “This event brings that truth home in a shocking way.”
The Austin Police Retired Officers Association asked for prayers for both the killed and injured officers.
This is the first time in a decade that an APD officer has been shot and killed in the line of duty.
A convoy of emergency vehicles made their way through downtown Austin in tribute to the fallen officer
Messages of condolence were tweeted by the mayor of Austin, the governor of Texas and the police chief
Austin Police Department officers are pictured riding in a procession to remember the fallen officer
Multiple officers opened fire and the shooting will be investigated by both the Austin Police Department’s Internal Affairs Division and the department’s Special Investigations Unit.
“Our hearts are heavy this morning with the news that one of our brothers with APD was shot and killed in the line of duty,” the statement on X said.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also issued a statement calling for prayers for the slain officer’s family, for the injured officer and for the city’s police department.
“This tragedy reminds us of the great risks and selfless leadership our law enforcement officers exercise every day to serve and protect their communities,” Abbott said.