The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred on May 21, 2024, at a Texaco gas station located at 8101 Salt Springs Drive. The incident resulted in the death of Alfonso Gonzales, a 35-year-old Hispanic male.
At approximately 12:36 p.m., APD officers identified a stolen vehicle in the 8000 block of Salt Springs Drive. The vehicle parked at the Texaco gas station, and Gonzales, the sole occupant, entered the store. Officers attempted to contact him outside but were unsuccessful as he proceeded into the store armed with a gun.
Upon entering the store, officers observed Gonzales holding a firearm and commanded him to drop it. When he did not comply, they withdrew and initiated a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) response due to the potential threat posed by Gonzales being armed and barricaded inside.
A store employee who escaped confirmed that another employee was trapped inside a locked office within the store. Multiple agencies including APD, Travis County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO), Austin Fire Department (AFD), and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (A/TCEMS) responded to the prolonged incident.
Throughout the standoff, officers observed Gonzales pacing with his firearm and pouring lighter fluid on surfaces while making suicidal threats. Hostage negotiators from APD's Crisis Intervention Team engaged Gonzales via phone and public address systems urging him to surrender peacefully. Despite their efforts, Gonzales threatened violence towards officers and acknowledged the presence of another person inside.
Gonzales fired his weapon at officers multiple times during negotiations. He continued to pour lighter fluid inside while holding a lighter in hand, posing significant risks. Officers employed pepper ball rounds to gain compliance but were unsuccessful.
At around 4:49 p.m., officers saw Gonzales preparing an improvised incendiary device using lighter fluid and a rag—a Molotov cocktail—which heightened concerns for imminent danger to the trapped employee. Subsequently, at approximately 4:50 p.m., an APD officer discharged their firearm striking Gonzales. Following this action, officers rescued the uninjured employee from inside.
Medical aid was rendered to Gonzales who was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased at 5:21 p.m. No other individuals or officers sustained injuries during this incident.
The event was documented on body-worn cameras as per APD policy; footage will be released within business days. The involved officer has served with APD for 16 years.
APD will conduct dual investigations into this incident: one criminal investigation by its Special Investigations Unit alongside the Travis County District Attorney's Office, and an administrative review by Internal Affairs with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight.
Individuals with information are urged to contact APD's Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. Tips can also be submitted online anonymously at www.austincrimestoppers.org.
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