City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 21-2820113
Date: Saturday, October 9, 2021
Time: 1:17 a.m.
Location: E. 6th St. and Sabine St.
Deceased: Michael Carothers, Black male, born August 29, 2004
The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the officer-involved shooting that occurred during the early morning hours of Saturday, October 9, 2021.
At approximately 1:17 a.m., APD officers were conducting a DWI investigation near the intersection of 5th and Sabine streets. They heard multiple gunshots north of their location and immediately ran towards the sounds of gunfire, northbound along Sabine Street. The officers observed a group of males firing weapons at another group of unknown individuals. One officer discharged his firearm, and it is unknown if anyone was struck by the officer’s discharged weapon.
This group of males then started running northbound, and officers pursued them. Officers located and detained one individual that appeared to be involved in the incident. They also recovered one handgun. An APD Counter Assault Strike Team Rescue Task Force (CAST RTF) located the victim about 90 seconds after the shooting occurred and began life-saving measures on him. He was transported to an area hospital in critical condition, but succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 5:45 a.m. The officers on scene did not sustain physical injuries.
The officer-involved shooting was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera. We are currently working on locating any other sources of video.
The officer involved in this critical incident has been identified as:
• Officer Glenn Vargas - 4 years of service with APD
Per normal APD protocol, Officer Vargas was placed on Administrative Leave. APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation 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.
Investigators are in the very early stages of this investigation. The information released includes preliminary information the Department has at this time. APD remains committed to transparency and will work to release relevant video footage of this critical incident within 10 business days of its occurrence during a live press conference. This conference will be available via a livestream accessible on APD’s social media platforms. PIO will provide details regarding the press conference once it is scheduled.
Anyone with information about this incident is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS, or use the new Crime Stoppers App.