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Robbery suspect shot by police officer in North Austin

Police said this case also involved a murder involving a second suspect.

AUSTIN, Texas — An investigation is underway after an officer shot a man overnight, early Saturday morning, Jan. 29.

Police said they were called to the area near Interstate 35 and East Saint Johns Avenue around 2:30 a.m., which is where the police shooting occurred. Witnesses told police suspect Terry Gonzales, 31, had shot a woman in a parking lot. The suspect then reportedly ran from the scene.

The woman was found next to a dumpster at 11506 N. Interstate 35 a few exits north of the police shooting. She was pronounced dead on scene around 3:30 a.m. Officials believe she may have been shot while sitting in the passenger seat of a vehicle.

Police found a man matching the description of Gonzales near the parking lot of a motel. Police said the officer asked the man to get on the ground, but he refused and continued to walk away.

When walking away, police said the suspect walked in between two cars. That's when a police officer came face to face with the suspect and shot at him multiple times. Police said a gun was recovered from the scene.

The suspect was taken to a hospital and eventually released. He was then taken to the Travis County Central Booking Facility, where he was charged with an aggravated robbery.

Police said based on surveillance video, Gonzales was involved in two disturbances at a Mobil gas station. In one, Gonzales appears to reach into a two-toned small vehicle and a flash is seen consistent with the discharge of a firearm. That vehicle then flees the parking lot.

Before that, around 2:15 a.m., a white Nissan SUV pulls into the parking lot. Gonzales approaches and the driver exits the vehicle while a passenger stays inside. Police said there was an obvious disturbance and Gonzales enters the driver's seat and talks with the passenger. The driver eventually gets back into the vehicle and leaves.

It was during this disturbance when police said the two-toned vehicle pulls in and appears to watch what was going on. Police said Gonzales then turned his attention to this vehicle and apparently fires a shot inside.

On Jan. 29, police said they received a report of a robbery. When police met with this caller, they noticed a Nissan SUV that fit the description of the previous Nissan. He stated that he and his wife had gone to the Mobil gas station to buy cigarettes when they were approached by a person police believe to be Gonzales. The man said he robbed them a gunpoint. 

The man also reported that Gonzales got into their vehicle and asked them to drive him somewhere. At one point, he said another vehicle arrived and drew away the suspect's attention, which is when he and his wife drove away.

A different suspect has since been arrested and charged with the previously mentioned murder. He was identified as 33-year-old Matthew Moreno.

Officials added that civilians and officers on the scene did not sustain any injuries when the police shooting occurred.

The officer who fired their gun has been with the department for 2.5 years, Chief Joseph Chacon said. APD shared video and 911 audio from the incident on Feb. 10.

Anyone with any information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS, or use the new Crime Stoppers App.

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