A Texas police officer with the Austin SWAT team was fatally shot during a rescue operation that left the gunman dead and another officer injured. The incident occurred after officers received a call about a woman being stabbed in a home. The officer, identified as Jorge Pastore, was the first Austin officer to be killed in the line of duty in a decade. The shooting is under investigation. James Gordon reported
A tragic incident unfolded in Austin, Texas early on Saturday morning, resulting in the death of a police officer with the Austin SWAT team. The gunman was also killed, and a second officer was wounded in the shooting. Police Chief Robin Henderson provided a somber account of the events during a news conference, visibly emotional and struggling to hold back tears.
According to Chief Henderson, officers received a distress call from a woman who claimed she was being stabbed shortly before 3am. One person managed to escape the home before the officers arrived and informed them that the suspect was armed with a knife. When the police attempted to enter the residence, they were met with gunfire. However, they did not return fire and instead called for backup from the SWAT team.
Officer Jorge Pastore, a three-year veteran of the Austin Police Department and a member of the SWAT team, tragically lost his life during the ensuing firefight. He was the first officer from the Austin Police Department to be fatally shot in the line of duty in ten years. Officer Pastore was married and had two stepsons.
The situation escalated further when authorities discovered two additional deceased individuals inside the home. The suspect continued to resist arrest and barricaded himself inside the residence with two hostages. The SWAT team was deployed at 3:06am to handle the armed and dangerous situation. They arrived at the scene at approximately 4:11am and forcibly entered the residence a second time in an attempt to rescue the hostages.
As the SWAT officers entered the home, the suspect immediately opened fire, resulting in a gunfight. Both officers and the suspect sustained gunshot wounds. Tragically, the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene, while Officer Pastore succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The second officer is currently in stable condition.
Chief Henderson expressed her condolences to the families affected by the incident and emphasized that the investigation into the shooting will be conducted by both the Austin Police Department’s internal affairs division and the department’s special investigation unit in collaboration with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his grief over the tragedy, stating that the city’s heart is broken. He requested prayers for the fallen officer’s family and the injured officer who was undergoing surgery. Governor Greg Abbott echoed similar sentiments, calling for prayers for the slain officer’s family, the wounded officer, and the entire police department.
The Austin community, as well as law enforcement associations, rallied behind the fallen officer and offered messages of condolence and support. A procession of emergency vehicles paraded through downtown Austin in honor of Officer Pastore, highlighting the deep impact of this loss on the community..