APD: No shots fired at officers

AUSTIN (KXAN) - A teenager shot and killed by an Austin police officer early Friday morning did not fire the weapon at officers, as previously reported. Police Chief Art Acevedo said video from two dash cameras showed the suspect pointed the weapon at officers, but did not fire.

Officers responded to a burglary alarm at the Big Lots store on Interstate 35 at William Cannon Drive just before 6 a.m. At least two suspects were involved, and a third teen, 15, is being considered a "person of interest."

The shooting occurred when one suspect, leaving through the back door, was carrying a revolver, Chief Art Acevedo said. The officer involved in the shooting, Derrick Bowman, shot the suspect, 16, when he kicked open the back door of the Big Lots and pointed a revolver at officers. Chief Acevedo said the officer told the suspect to show his hands before the shooting.

"Every day in this city we have instances where officers can lawfully deploy deadly force and they don't and this is one, based on the totality of the circumstances, where the officer's hand was forced," said Acevedo.

According to Acevedo, Officer Bowman initially told officers he saw a muzzle flash and that the suspect fired at least two rounds.

Police said Friday afternoon that the gun in possession of the deceased teen was loaded with five rounds of .38-special ammunition.

Another suspect is in custody, said to be age 19. He was booked on a burglary charge and police believe he and the deceased may have been involved in several other burglaries earlier in the evening.

Officer Bowman has been placed on administrative leave, with pay, which is departmental procedure for a police-involved shooting.  Acevedo said the officer had been on the Austin police force for almost three years.

Acevedo said he has reviewed the dash camera video after the incident, and said he does believe the officer acted within proper department procedures.

Pleasant Hill Elementary and Bedicheck Middle School were both on "shelter in place" status, with students being accompanied to and from classrooms by teachers. That status subsequently has been lifted. Parents can pick up their children at the regular time.