Austin Police Release Preliminary Details in Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting of 17-Year-Old

AUSTIN, Texas – The Austin Police Department has released preliminary information, body camera footage and 9-1-1 audio related to a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred early Friday morning in South Austin.

View Critical Incident Details on YouTube

According to police, officers responded to a 9-1-1 call at 3:51 a.m. on July 24 reporting a man with a handgun in the parking lot of the 10110 block of Baden Lane. The caller told the dispatcher the individual was brandishing the weapon.

Officers arrived within two minutes and searched the area, locating a 17-year-old Black male near a community park in the 10100 block of Baden Lane.

Police said officers attempted to de-escalate the encounter by repeatedly directing the teen to keep his hands raised. According to the preliminary investigation, the teen then lifted his shirt and reached toward his waistband.

At approximately 4:02 a.m., Officers Jake Pitcher, Alexis Cruz and Avery Zucchi fired their department-issued weapons, striking the teen.

After securing the area to ensure there were no additional threats, officers began providing medical aid until Austin-Travis County EMS arrived and continued life-saving efforts. The teen was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:25 a.m.

Authorities said no firearm was found at the scene. Investigators later determined the original 9-1-1 call reporting an armed individual had been placed from the deceased teen’s cellphone.

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office has not yet publicly identified the teen. Austin police said his name will be released following positive identification by the medical examiner.

No officers or members of the public were injured during the incident.

Officer Alexis Cruz has served with the Austin Police Department for three years and nine months. Officer Jake Pitcher has served three years and five months, while Officer Avery Zucchi has served two years and 10 months. In accordance with department policy, all three officers have been placed on administrative leave.

The Austin Police Department said two investigations are underway. The department’s Special Investigations Unit, working alongside the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, is conducting the criminal investigation, while the Internal Affairs Unit is conducting an administrative review under the oversight of Austin Police Oversight.

Police have released radio traffic, the 9-1-1 call audio, Officer Jake Pitcher’s body-worn camera footage and a map of the scene. The department noted that the materials have been redacted where required by law and warned they contain graphic content.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department Special Investigations Unit at 512-974-6840 or APDSpecialInvestigations@austintexas.gov. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477 or online at austincrimestoppers.org.