Case:                    23-3600506
 
Date:  December 26, 2023
  
Time:  1:18 p.m.
  
Location:  1501 East Howard Ln.
                                                             
Suspect:  Konrad Farad Khorshahian, White male, 63 years of age
 

The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the officer-involved shooting that occurred at 1501 E Howard Lane.

At approximately 1:18 p.m., Austin 9-1-1 Communications received a call for service at 1501 East Howard Lane; a male caller stated, “there is a man with a rifle in the middle of the parking lot.” The caller further reported the man was shooting and he did not know what he was shooting at. The caller disconnected without providing additional information. At approximately 1:19 p.m., the Austin Police Department (APD) officers were dispatched to the "Gun Hot Shot" call. The male described with a rifle was later identified as Konrad Farad Khorshahian.  Through the course of the investigation, it was determined Mr. Khorshahian was the male caller that called 9-1-1.

At approximately 1:25 p.m., the first officer arrived, followed shortly by a second officer. Both officers were wearing Austin Police Department uniforms and driving marked Austin Police Department vehicles. As the two officers drove through the parking lot, one of the officers reported over the police radio that "a male standing in the parking lot pointed a rifle at them as they drove past him." Simultaneously, several residents were observed walking in the parking lot.

At approximately 1:27 p.m., both officers exited their police vehicles, seeking cover behind parked vehicles. They communicated over the police radio that Mr. Khorshahian continued pointing what appeared to be a rifle at them. One officer expressed he was unsure if it was a rifle or a “pellet gun.”

At approximately 1:28 p.m., Mr. Khorshahian, who was located behind a van, yelled at the officers that he wanted them to shoot him. The officers continued to give verbal commands, identifying themselves as Austin police officers and instructing Mr. Khorshahian to drop the weapon.

Air One was called to the location to assist officers at approximately 1:29 p.m. Within the same minute, one of the officers announced over the police radio, "Shots fired," and that Mr. Khorshahian was "down." One officer discharged his Department-approved firearm at Mr. Khorshahian, striking him. Austin-Travis County EMS was immediately called to the scene.

At approximately 1:30 p.m., officers began to render medical aid to Mr. Khorshahian. At approximately 1:48 p.m. Mr. Khorshahian succumbed to the injuries he sustained and was pronounced deceased.

No other citizens or officers were physically injured during this incident. Subsequent confirmation throughout the investigation revealed Mr. Khorshahian was in possession of a BB gun rifle.

This officer-involved shooting incident was captured on the officer's body-worn cameras. Per APD policy, APD video relating to this incident will be released within ten business days. The one APD officer who discharged his Department-approved firearm has four and a half years of service with the Department. Per APD protocol, the officer will be placed on administrative duty.

APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into the officer-involved shooting: 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.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD's Special Investigations 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.