Austin police release footage of fatal shooting of man who pointed gun at bystanders

Austin police have released body camera footage from the fatal shooting of an armed man who pointed a gun at officers and bystanders following a three-hour search that began when runners reported being threatened, according to officials.

The incident began at 8:13 a.m. Saturday near West 5th Street and North Lamar Boulevard in Austin, Texas, when multiple people called 911 to report that a man on an electric scooter was chasing runners and threatening them with a handgun, according to Austin police.

Witnesses told police that a runner had asked the man to slow down while riding on the sidewalk, leading to an argument in which he directed slurs at the group.

The man then struck a woman, became involved in a brief physical altercation and pulled out a handgun, which he pointed at several people while threatening to shoot them.

Officers arrived within two minutes and spent the next several hours interviewing witnesses, reviewing surveillance footage and searching for the suspect. At 10:23 a.m., they found a scooter believed to belong to him in the 1100 block of West Cesar Chavez Street.

Police found the suspect, identified as 29-year-old Emmanuel Diaz, near the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail at 11:07 a.m. Diaz got on the scooter and began riding away before abandoning it and fleeing on foot when officers ordered him to stop.

During the pursuit, officers saw that Diaz had a handgun and repeatedly ordered him to drop it. Police said Diaz continued running until he fell to the ground and pointed the weapon at officers.

Officers Adam Collins and William Johns opened fire at 11:08 a.m., striking Diaz. Officers took him into custody and provided emergency aid, but he died at the scene. No officers or bystanders were injured.

The shooting was recorded by the officers’ body cameras. Police released redacted footage and audio from the incident on Monday.

Both officers, who have each served with the department for more than 14 years, were placed on administrative leave.

The shooting is under criminal investigation by Austin police and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, while a separate administrative investigation is being conducted with oversight from Austin Police Oversight.

Graphic footage. Viewer discretion adviced.