BCSO continues investigation of road rage shooting incident
By Managing Editor Lew Cohn, Sports Editor Richard Zowie and Glynis Crawford Smith
The Burnet County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) Criminal Investigation Division is welcoming information about the Thursday night road rage incident on Ranch to Market Road 1431 in which an Austin Police Department (APD) rescued family and wounded their assailant.
Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said the incident appears to have stemmed from a road-rage situation which occurred in the 1200 block of RM 1431 west of RM 1174 and about eight miles east of Marble Falls at around 10 p.m. Thursday.
“At 10:11 PM, the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call regarding shots fired involving an off-duty Austin Police Department officer,” said a press release from Boyd Friday morning.
As the yet-unidentified officer was traveling home, he came upon a man exiting a red Camero and pointing a gun at another vehicle, occupied by a family of three.
“The off-duty APD officer pulled up, and from what I understand, identified himself,” said Boyd. “The subject and the officer exchanged gunfire and the subject was hit at least once, suffering non-life-threatening injuries.”
The sheriff's morning press release said he was located unconscious in nearby brush and was airlifted to Dell Seton Medical Center where he was listed in stable condition.
“While gunfire was being exchanged, the family of three successfully escaped into nearby brush,” said the report.
“The officer was not injured, nor were the occupants of the other vehicle,” said Boyd. “If the officer had not shown up, there is no telling what would have happened out there.”
“We need to talk to the officer at length, which should clear up most of questions we will have about this incident,” Boyd said.
Neither Boyd nor APD Chief Brian Manley revealed the identity of the APD officer, although Manley said in a morning press conference the he is a 19-year veteran officer.
Boyd confirmed the Texas Rangers were called in to help investigate, due to an officer-involved shooting incident. Texas Department of Public Safety troopers were investigating the incident as an accident as well, since there appeared to have been contact between the two vehicles, he said.
“If you have any additional information regarding this incident, please contact the Burnet County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Division at 512-756-8080,” said Boyd.
