BUDA, Texas (KXAN) – The Texas Department of Public Safety is investigating after deputies and officers from the Hays County Sheriff’s Office and Buda Police Department were involved in a shooting in Buda Tuesday morning.
According to a release from HCSO, a Buda police officer made a traffic stop just before 4 a.m. in the 15000 block of the Interstate 35 service road, near the McDonald’s and Chevron at the Main Street crossing.
“I understand it was suspicious circumstances that caused the officer to run the registration and it came back also with being uninsured,” said Buda Police Chief Bo Kidd.
The person in the vehicle got out and allegedly pointed a firearm at the Buda PD officer, who then fired at the person, according to HCSO.
The officer called for help and began chasing the person on foot, and more gunfire was exchanged, the release said.
HCSO deputies responded to the scene, and they and the Buda officer found the person shortly after. HCSO deputies engaged with him and also discharged their firearms.
According to HCSO, the person was struck multiple times and fell to the ground, and officers immediately started life-saving measures and called EMS.
He was taken into custody and transported to a local hospital, where he remained in critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
‘Extensive criminal history’
In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, law enforcement identified the suspect as Lee Allen Elsbury, 46.
“Elsbury has an extensive criminal history with a current felony arrest warrant out of Austin for an unauthorized use of motor vehicle,” said Chief Kidd.
Buda PD is planning to file the following charges against Elsbury:
- Attempted Capital Murder
- Two charges of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer with a deadly weapon
- Failure to Identify a Fugitive
- Possession of a Firearm by a Felon
The Texas Rangers were called to the scene and are investigating the shooting alongside the Buda PD and HCSO.
The HCSO deputies involved have been reassigned to administrative duties pending the outcome of the investigation. The Buda Police officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave in line with department policy.
Buda Police shut down northbound traffic Tuesday morning on the I-35 access road when the incident happened.
‘Really shocking to me’
Kidd said this is the first officer involved shooting in the police department’s 13-year history.
It’s left people like Luis Fernandez rattled.
“It’s insane. That stuff usually doesn’t happen around here,” Fernandez said. “Hearing this is like really shocking to me.”
Fernandez, who lives and works in Buda, said it serves as a reminder that this could happen in any community.
“Anywhere can be a dangerous place, even in the places you think is the safest,” he said.
