SWAT Standoff Leads To Human Smuggling Arrest In Austin

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — A police SWAT team responded to a reported shooting in South Austin on Wednesday that led to an arrest of a person on a federal warrant on human smuggling.

The incident occurred at an apartment complex at 810 E. Slaughter Lane amid multiple 911 calls starting at around 6:45 p.m. reporting people were firing a handgun into the air, Senior Police Officer Christopher Irwin told reporters at a subsequent press briefing just before 10:20 p.m. The officer said no injuries were reported as a result of the bullets falling back down after having been fired — a dangerous yet shockingly common practice among some firearms owners, Irwin noted.

Police were already near the scene on a separate investigation, Irwin said, and were able to quickly arrive at the scene of the shooting. The people fled inside the dwelling upon their arrival but later emerged from the apartment except for one person, which prompted the SWAT response.

After some coaxing, SWAT officers were able to effect a peaceful surrender from the barricaded suspect, who was found to have a federal warrant on human smuggling for which he was placed under arrest, Irwin said. The officer noted further charges are pending.

"This is another great investigation by the Austin Police Department to make this community safer and take some violent criminals off the streets," Irwin said.