In the early hours of November 11, 2023, a devastating hostage situation unfolded in Austin, Texas, leading to the death of a SWAT team officer, two hostages, and the suspect. The event began around 2:49 a.m. when the Austin Police Department (APD) received a distressing 911 call from a woman screaming for help, claiming she was being stabbed in the 9300 block of Bernoulli Drive.
Upon arrival, officers located an injured woman who had managed to escape from the house. She was immediately transported to a local hospital, though the details of her injuries were not disclosed. The officers were informed that two other victims were still trapped inside the house with the suspect, who was armed with a knife.
The situation escalated when the suspect, who was also reported to be armed with a firearm, barricaded himself inside the house with the hostages. APD SWAT officers were dispatched to the scene. In an attempt to rescue the hostages, SWAT officers forced entry into the home shortly after 4 a.m. As they entered, the suspect immediately opened fire, striking two officers. Senior Officer Jorge Pastore, a member of the SWAT team, was fatally shot during the exchange. The second officer was wounded but is reported to be in stable condition.
Inside the residence, officers discovered the two victims, who had succumbed to fatal injuries. Their identities, along with that of the suspect, who was also found dead, have not yet been released to the public.
Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson described the day as “very tragic” for all involved and highlighted the risks law enforcement officers face in such volatile situations. Mayor Kirk Watson expressed his heartbreak over the incident, extending his prayers to the families of the fallen and injured officers.
This incident marks the first time in a decade that an officer from the Austin Police Department has been killed in the line of duty. The Austin Police Department, in coordination with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and the Office of Police Oversight, will conduct a thorough investigation into the officer-involved shooting to understand the circumstances that led to this tragic outcome.
Officer Jorge Pastore was a 2019 graduate of the Austin Police Academy. He was commissioned as an officer in 2020. He patrolled Central and South East Austin and also served SWAT and the Special Response Team. Pastore leaves behind a wife and two stepsons.
