3 Texas police officers shot at ‘very active scene’ near Austin; suspect ‘barricaded’ with hostages

CEDAR PARK, Texas — Three Texas police officers were shot Sunday after responding to a call in a residential area and the suspect has barricaded himself inside a home with hostages, according to police.

The Cedar Park Police Department tweeted that multiple officers were shot after responding to a call at a home. The department added the “subject is barricaded inside the home and multiple law enforcement agencies are on scene.”

Interim Police Chief Mike Harmon told reporters at the scene that a mother called police around 3:10 p.m. local time. The mother told police her son had “kicked in the door and was acting very aggressive.” Officers responded to the house and “were met with gunfire,” Harmon said.

The suspect barricaded himself in the house with three other family members — his mother, a juvenile and a third person — after the officers were shot, Harmon said. 

Harmon said it’s unknown if the officers hit the suspect, a man in his mid-20s. He said negotiators are on scene. 

“There are some mental health issues,” Harmon said, adding officers want to “get this person the help they need.” 

Harmon said he has “personally been in contact” with the officers who were shot and all three are doing well.

Harmon said officers are hoping for a peaceful resolution to the incident. 

“We want to end this peacefully,” Harmon said. “For everybody involved. For the suspect that is inside, for the hostages that are inside, for the officers that are on the scene.”

Speaking to the suspect through reporters, Harmon added, “Please, if you’re listening to this, please come out and surrender yourself peacefully so we can resolve this situation tonight.”