Austin Police Releases Details and Officer’s Body-Worn Cameras Officer-Involved Shooting on Howard Lane
The Austin Police Department (APD) continues to investigate an officer-involved shooting that took place at 1501 E Howard Lane.
The officer involved in the incident is identified as Officer Andrew Horne, who has four and a half years of service with the Austin Police Department. Following APD protocol, Officer Horne has been placed on administrative leave during the investigation.
To ensure a thorough examination of the incident, APD will conduct two concurrent investigations: a criminal investigation by the APD Special Investigations Unit in collaboration with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, and an administrative investigation by the APD Internal Affairs Unit, overseen by the Office of Police Oversight.
Transparency and accountability are emphasized as crucial elements in serving and building relationships within the Austin community. The following chain of events related to the critical incident is provided to offer an understanding of what transpired.
Chain of Events
At approximately 1:18 p.m., Austin 9-1-1 Communications received a call for service at 1501 East Howard Lane; a male caller stated, “there is a man with a rifle in the middle of the parking lot.” The caller further reported the man was shooting and he did not know what he was shooting at. The caller disconnected without providing additional information. At approximately 1:19 p.m., the Austin Police Department (APD) officers were dispatched to the “Gun Hot Shot” call. The male described with a rifle was later identified as Konrad Farad Khorshahian. Through the course of the investigation, it was determined Mr. Khorshahian was the male caller that called 9-1-1.
At approximately 1:25 p.m., Officer Andrew Horne arrived, followed shortly by Officer Brian Epps. Both officers were wearing Austin Police Department uniforms and driving marked Austin Police Department vehicles. As the two officers drove through the parking lot, one of the officers reported over the police radio that a male standing in the parking lot pointed a rifle at them as they drove past him. Simultaneously, several residents were observed walking in the parking lot.
At approximately 1:27 p.m., both officers exited their police vehicles, seeking cover behind parked vehicles. They communicated over the police radio that Mr. Khorshahian continued pointing what appeared to be a rifle at them. One officer expressed he was unsure if it was a rifle or a “pellet gun.”
At approximately 1:28 p.m., Mr. Khorshahian, who was located behind a van, yelled at the officers that he wanted them to shoot him. The officers continued to give verbal commands, identifying themselves as Austin police officers and instructing Mr. Khorshahian to drop the weapon. Mr. Khorshahian disregarded the officers’ commands.
Air One was called to the location to assist officers at approximately 1:29 p.m. Mr. Khorshahian pointed his rifle toward Officer Horne, and the officer discharged his Department-approved firearm at Mr. Khorshahian. Within the same minute, both officers announced over the police radio, “Shots fired,” and that Mr. Khorshahian was “down.” Austin-Travis County EMS was immediately called to the scene by Officer Epps.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., officers began to render medical aid to Mr. Khorshahian. At approximately 1:48 p.m. Mr. Khorshahian succumbed to the injuries he sustained and was pronounced deceased.
No other citizens or officers were physically injured during this incident. The subsequent investigation revealed Mr. Khorshahian was in possession of a BB gun rifle at the time of the shooting.
This incident was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras. Body-worn camera videos do not always capture everything the officer or witnesses saw or experienced during the incident; however, the footage helps us understand what occurred.
The materials include comprehensive footage of the officers’ actions and contain graphic content and language. Viewer discretion is advised.
Link to release files on youtube.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD’s Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. For the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers submission, you may submit a tip online at austincrimestoppers.org. You may remain anonymous.
