Austin Officers Injured When Suspect Resists Arrest On 6th Street

AUSTIN, TX — A suspect accused of breaking off side mirrors of vehicles parked downtown this week was hardly arrested without incident — instead fighting off officers and biting one in the leg — as the Austin Police Department detailed on Thursday.

The incident occurred on Sept. 17 at around 4 p.m. when officers responded to 611 Neches St. amid reports of a man who was breaking vehicles' side mirrors. By the time officers arrived, the suspect had moved to 6th Street and the southbound Interstate 35 service road, police said in emailed details related to the incident.

When police approached the man later identified as Henry Parker, 47, he is said to have yelled at officers while walking into the path of 6th Street traffic, the department said. Ultimately, Parker was placed in handcuffs while he resisted arrest and taken to the ground as he spit at officers and continued to resist, the Austin Police Department reported.

At one point, Parker allegedly bit an officer's leg as the law enforcement official attempted to subdue him, the APD said. The bite was strong enough to break the officer's skin and draw blood, according to officials. Six other officers sustained abrasions from the struggle, department officials added. During the altercation, police added, Parker’s blood spattered and transferred over onto the open wounds, skin, and clothing of the responding officers.

Local television stations aired photos of the officers' injuries to illustrate their reports:

All five officers and the suspect were checked out at a local hospital where they were treated before being released. As for Parker, he was transported to Travis County Jail and now faces charges for assault on peace officer and resisting.