AUSTIN (KXAN) — Round Rock Police Department has identified the armed man shot and killed by an officer Monday morning after police say he threatened to kill people inside a hotel.
Officers responded within five minutes of the 911 calls to the Home2 Suites by Hilton at the intersection of West Louis Henna Boulevard and La Frontera Boulevard. They tried to enter the hotel through a side, pool entrance, but the door wasn’t working.
When they entered through the main door, they saw the gunman, identified Tuesday as 39-year-old Antonio Diaz. One officer shot Diaz, killing him.
Police say Diaz had been staying in various hotels and had no permanent residence.
“The concern that we have here, was is this an active shooter? Or was it going to be an active shooter?” Round Rock Police Chief Allen Banks said. “Subject walks into a lobby of a business with a handgun, threatened people, caused people to flee and also caused people to hide inside of their offices.”
Stacey Choate, a hotel guest, said she was about to leave her room to walk her dogs when she heard commotion in the lobby and decided to stay put. She could hear children making loud noises and a dog barking.
“I did hear the kids, and being a teacher, I knew they weren’t arguing with each other. They weren’t fighting with each other. I know what that sounds like,” Choate said. “They weren’t happy or excited about something. It was definitely anxiety in the children’s voices, and then the dog was going crazy.”
According to police, Diaz pointed his gun at children and others.
Round Rock Police investigate after an incident at Home2 Suites by Hilton in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) 
Round Rock Police investigate after an incident at Home2 Suites by Hilton in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) 
Round Rock Police investigate after an incident at Home2 Suites by Hilton in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) 
Round Rock Police investigate after an incident at Home2 Suites by Hilton in Round Rock. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez)
No officer was hurt and neither were any hotel staff or guests. After Diaz was shot, police administered first aid, and then cleared the hotel room by room to tell people who were hiding it was safe to come out.
The officer who discharged his weapon has been identified as Aaron Grigsby, who joined the department in September.
Grigsby and the other officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard. The FBI and Texas Rangers are among those investigating. Officers were wearing body cameras and the footage will be part of the ongoing investigation, in addition to witness interviews.
The last officer-involved shooting for RRPD was January 2018.
