AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) on Wednesday released body camera footage from a December incident when a man who was holding a BB gun was shot and killed by officers at an apartment complex in northeast Austin. Security footage, 911 call audio and police radio traffic audio were also released.
The incident happened on Dec. 26, 2023, at 1501 E. Howard Lane, at The Bridge at Harris Ridge apartment complex.
APD identified the officer who fired his weapon as Andrew Horne. He has four-and-a-half years of service with the department. Per APD protocol, Horne has been placed on administrative leave.
Police said at approximately 1:18 p.m., 911 got a call about a man with a “rifle” in the middle of a parking lot at the apartment complex. The caller reported the man was shooting, and he did not know what he was shooting at. The caller disconnected without providing more details, APD said.
The man shooting the "rifle," which was later confirmed to be a BB gun, was identified as Konrad Farad Khorshahian. APD said Khorshahian was also the man who called 911.
Officer Horne arrived on the scene around 1:25 p.m., followed shortly by Officer Brian Epps. One of the officers reported over the police radio that a man in the parking lot pointed a rifle at them as they drove past.
Both officers exited their vehicles at around 1:27 p.m. and took cover behind parked vehicles. One officer said on police radio he was unsure whether the weapon was a rifle or a “pellet gun.”
At around 1:28 p.m., Khorshahian yelled at officers that he wanted them to shoot him. The officers asked him to drop the weapon, but he ignored their commands, according to APD.
APD helicopter Air One was called to assist at 1:29 p.m. Khorshahian pointed the BB gun toward Horne, who then fired at him. Both officers announced over police radio, “shots fired,” saying Khorshahian was down.
Austin-Travis County EMS was called to assist, but at 1:48 p.m., Khorshahian was pronounced dead on scene. No other citizens or officers were injured during the incident.
Audio and video from the incident are available on the APD YouTube channel. The materials contain graphic content and language. Viewer discretion is advised.
APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into the 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.
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.