Austin Police Officer Shoots Suspect Approaching with a Knife

Location: Austin, TX
Date: July 20, 2023
Time: 4:54 a.m

Description:

In Austin, Texas, a critical incident unfolded in the early hours of the morning. At around 4:55 a.m., Austin 911 Communications received a call about a woman being chased by a man in the 3600 block of Menchaca Road. The caller provided a description of the woman, who was later found sitting outside his door.

Austin Police Department (APD) officers arrived at the scene around 5:00 a.m. and spoke with the woman, who described her assailant as a 60-year-old man with gray hair, approximately six feet three inches tall, last seen wearing navy blue or black basketball shorts and a dark shirt. This man was later identified as James Woodrome.

At approximately 5:06 a.m., while the officers were speaking with the woman, Woodrome approached them in the parking lot, holding a knife. Despite the officers' attempts to de-escalate the situation and their repeated commands for Woodrome to drop the knife, he did not comply and instead urged the officers to shoot him.

Officers John Ricker and Arlene Lozano each deployed a Department-approved taser, but neither was effective in stopping Woodrome, who continued to advance towards them. In response to the escalating threat, Officer Adam Reinhart discharged his Department-approved firearm, resulting in Woodrome falling to the ground. A knife was found beside him.

The officers immediately secured the scene and administered life-saving measures while calling for medical assistance. Unfortunately, Woodrome succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene at 5:19 a.m. No other civilians or officers were physically injured during the incident.

Following APD protocol, Officers Reinhart, Ricker, and Lozano have been placed on administrative leave as the incident undergoes further investigation.

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