The Austin Police Department (APD) continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 2, 2023 at 1124 Brecon Lane.   
  
APD understands the importance of building trust within our community and will continue working diligently to develop a strong and trusting relationship. As per our policy, we share information about a critical incident within ten business days of its occurrence. APD worked with the Office of Police Oversight and the City of Austin to release this information today. The press release includes links to the relevant audio and video from the ongoing investigation. The Travis-County District Attorney's Office reviewed the audio and video materials identified for public release. The details provided today are preliminary, as we are very early in the investigation.  
 
One detective and one officer discharged their Department-approved firearms. The first officer who discharged his Department-approved firearm is Detective Manuel Delgado-Eberhardt.  He has eleven years and nine months of service with the Department. The second officer who discharged his Department-approved firearm is Officer Robert Mattingly.  He has five years and eleven months of service with the Department. Per APD protocol, both officers have been placed on administrative leave.  

APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney's Office and an administrative investigation conducted by the APD Internal Affairs Unit, with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight.  
 
Transparency and accountability are key elements needed to serve and build relationships within the Austin community. Below is the chain of events related to this critical incident that will help you understand what took place.  

At 9:24 a.m., Austin 9-1-1 Communications received a call requesting help at 1124 Brecon Lane.  The caller stated a male was cutting his wrist and bleeding severely. Officers were dispatched to the “Attempted Suicide Hotshot” scene within the same minute.  When asked if the male had any weapons, the caller advised that the male had a box cutter he was using to cut his wrist. The male was later identified as Christophe Vanover.    

At approximately 9:31 a.m., Detective Delgado-Eberhardt and Officer Mattingly, who were both wearing Austin Police uniforms, arrived at the location and made contact with the 9-1-1 caller. The caller told the officers Mr. Vanover was inside the residence and bleeding heavily. The caller directed officers to Mr. Vanover's location inside the residence.     

Based on the information provided to the officers, it appeared that Mr. Vanover may have been experiencing a mental health crisis. At approximately 9:31 a.m., Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on the scene and staged in preparation to provide medical assistance.    

At approximately 9:32 a.m., Detective Delgado-Eberhardt and Officer Mattingly entered the residence to check Mr. Vanover's welfare. As the officers made entry, they announced and identified themselves as Austin Police Officers. As the officers approached, Mr. Vanover called out to the officers to make his location known. When the officers encountered Mr. Vanover, they observed him pointing a firearm at them. Officer Mattingly deployed his Department-approved taser, which was ineffective. Detective Delgado-Eberhardt and Officer Mattingly then discharged their Department-approved firearms in the direction of Mr. Vanover.  Mr. Vanover was struck by the gunfire.  

At approximately 9:33 a.m., the officers stated over the police radio that shots were fired and Mr. Vanover had moved out of their view.    

Two additional APD Mental Health Officers arrived on the scene and immediately made entry into the residence after the shots were fired to assist the two officers who were already inside.    

At approximately 9:45 a.m., APD SWAT was called to the scene, but the SWAT call-out was cancelled at 9:55 a.m., after Mr. Vanover was taken into custody.    

At approximately 9:46 a.m., Detective Delgado-Eberhardt stated over the police radio that he was “stuck inside” the residence. The officers further said they were no longer able to see Mr. Vanover. The two Mental Health Officers communicated with Mr. Vanover for several minutes in an attempt to help him and render any necessary medical aid.    

At approximately 9:49 a.m., the Mental Health Officers made direct contact with Mr. Vanover and gave him verbal commands and safely took him into custody at 9:52 a.m. The officers were not injured as a result of this incident.  

Once it was safe to do so, the officers and Austin-Travis County EMS were able to escort Mr. Vanover outside of the residence, and he was transported to a local hospital. Mr. Vanover remains in stable condition with non-life-threatening injuries at the local hospital.  Mr. Vanover is charged with Aggravated Assault on a Public Servant, a first-degree felony.   

No other civilians or officers were physically injured during this incident.    

This incident was captured on multiple officers’ body-worn cameras. Body-worn camera videos do not always capture everything the officer or other witnesses saw or experienced during the incident. However, the footage helps us understand what occurred.  

In compliance with state law that prohibits the release of certain information and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, the materials have been redacted. Portions of the videos released were taken in a private space. Pursuant to sections 1701.651 and 1701.661(f) of the Texas Occupations space Code, these portions of the videos are not being released. The materials include comprehensive footage of the officers' actions and contain graphic content and language. Viewer discretion is advised.   

MATERIALS BEING RELEASED:    

One 9-1-1 audio file  

One Police Radio Traffic audio file  

Body-worn camera - Detective Manuel Delgado-Eberhardt  

Body-worn camera - Officer Robert Mattingly  


All of the released materials are available on the Department's YouTube and other social media platforms. The link to the materials is below.  

Please click the link here:  APD’s YouTube Channel  

Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD’s Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. For the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers submission, you may submit a tip online at austincrimestoppers.org. You may remain anonymous.