APD identifies officers involved in fatal downtown shooting

article

The Austin Police Department has identified the nine officers involved in a shooting that left 21-year-old Aquantis Jaymond Griffin dead. 

The incident happened on Aug. 17 in downtown Austin.

Police say that at around 1 a.m. they responded to a call about a disturbance near Terminal 6. They say that public safety cameras captured two people with firearms firing their weapons multiple times.

Officers responded to calls just after 1 a.m. about shots being fired at that location. When they arrived police say an individual was running towards them in the alley with a handgun. Police say the officers gave multiple commands to the individual before shooting.

Eight officers fired with one firing a non lethal Taser. Griffin was hit and taken to the hospital where he later died.

According to APD, the officers involved are the following:

• Officer Stephen Johnson who has been with department for four years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Joseph Cast who has been with the department for four years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Daniel Mathis who has been with the department for four years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Alberto Martinez who has been with the department for three years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Wesley DeVries who has been with the department for six years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Joseph Moran who has been with the department for one year and currently assigned to Central East patrol.
• Officer Justin Halbach who has been with the department for three years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Christopher Salacki who has been with the department for five years and currently assigned to the downtown area.
• Officer Lewis Holland who has been with the department for four years and currently assigned to the downtown area (deployed Taser only)

All nine officers have been placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard protocol. The incident will be investigated by APD's Internal Affairs Unit and monitored by the Office of the Police Monitor. It will also be investigated by APD's Special Investigations Unit, along with the Travis County District Attorney's Office.