Austin Police Releases Investigation Details on Officer-Involved Shooting on December 2, 2023

The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 2, 2023, at 1124 Brecon Lane.  

At 9:24 a.m., Austin 9-1-1 Communications received a call requesting help at 1124 Brecon Lane; the caller stated a male was cutting his wrist and bleeding severely. Officers were dispatched to the scene within the same minute to an “Attempted Suicide Hotshot.” When asked if the male had any weapons, the caller advised that the male had a box cutter he was using to cut his wrist. The male was later identified as 49-year-old Christophe Vanover. 

At approximately 9:31 a.m., two initial responding officers, who were both wearing Austin Police uniforms, arrived at the location and made contact with the 9-1-1 caller, who told the officers Mr. Vanover was inside the residence and bleeding heavily. The caller directed officers to Mr. Vanover’s location inside the residence.   

Based on the information provided to the officers, it appeared that Mr. Vanover was suffering from a mental health crisis. At approximately 9:31 a.m., Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on the scene and staged in preparation to provide medical assistance. 

At approximately 9:32 a.m., the officers entered the residence to check Mr. Vanover’s welfare. As the officers made entry, they announced and identified themselves as Austin Police Officers. As the officers approached, Mr. Vanover called out to the officers to make his location known. When the officers encountered Mr. Vanover, they observed him pointing a firearm at them. One officer deployed his Department-approved taser, which was ineffective. The two officers then discharged their Department-approved firearms in the direction of Mr. Vanover. 

At approximately 9:33 a.m., the officers stated over the police radio that shots were fired as Mr. Vanover moved out of the view of officers. 

Two additional APD Mental Health Officers arrived on the scene and immediately made entry into the residence after the shots were fired to assist the officers who were already inside.  

At approximately 9:45 a.m., APD SWAT was called to the scene. 

At approximately 9:46 a.m., the officers stated over the police radio they were “stuck inside” the residence. The officers further said they were no longer able to see Mr. Vanover. The Mental Health Officers communicated with Mr. Vanover for several minutes in an attempt to help him and render any necessary medical aid. 

At approximately 9:49 a.m., the officers made direct contact with Mr. Vanover and gave him verbal commands in an attempt to safely take him into custody. 

Once it was safe to do so, the officers and Austin-Travis County EMS were able to escort Mr. Vanover outside of the residence, and he was transported to a local hospital. Mr. Vanover remains in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries at the local hospital.  Mr. Vanover is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant, a first-degree felony. 

No other civilians or officers were physically injured during this incident.  

This officer-involved shooting incident was captured on the officers’ body-worn cameras. Per APD policy, APD video relating to this incident will be released within ten business days. Two APD officers discharged their Department-approved firearms.  One of the officers who discharged his Department-approved firearm has five years and eleven months of service with the Department. The other officer who discharged his Department-approved firearm has eleven years and nine months of service with the Department. Per APD protocol, both officers will be placed on administrative duty.   

APD is conducting two concurrent investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and an administrative investigation conducted by the APD Internal Affairs Unit, with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight. 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD’s Special Investigations 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. 

MATERIALS RELEASED:   