Officer involved shooting in NW Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police are investigating an officer-involved shooting Thursday evening in Northwest Austin. A Deputy U.S. Marshal shot a suspect wanted for assaulting an officer and stealing his vehicle in Live Oak County, Texas. Inside the deputy's vehicle were a handgun and a shotgun.

The Lone Star Fugitive Task Force tracked the suspect, Douglas Morse, 41, to the Balcones Club Apartments in the 9200 block of Balcones Club Drive in Northwest Austin. Officers were waiting at the apartments when Morse arrived and surrounded his vehicle. They said Morse intentionally rammed two police cruisers with his vehicle, before taking off on foot. The Deputy Marshal shot Morse twice as he was fleeing after he reported seeing Morse reach into his waistband.

"He was running away from the police, and he was seeking aid and comfort from people that he believed to be knowing here," said U.S. Marshal Lafayette Collins.

Morse underwent surgery at University Medical Center at Brackenridge Thursday evening for gunshot wounds to the arm and leg.

An Austin police officer and a deputy U.S. Marshal were also taken to local hospitals after they complained of pain after their vehicles were hit by Morse's vehicle.

Morse was wanted for assaulting an officer and for theft after he overpowered a deputy Wednesday evening and stole his cruiser in Live Oak County. The cruiser was later found abandoned in the parking lot of an HEB grocery store in San Antonio. Morse had warrants out for his arrest when the deputy pulled him over in a stolen vehicle in Live Oak County.

Morse will be charged with several counts of assaulting an officer.

The Austin Police Department is investigating the shooting.

"It's important to note this suspect knew what he did last night- knew he was wanted- was believed to be armed and dangerous- that's why we were looking for him," said Austin police chief Art Acevedo.