Off duty APD officer involved shooting in Burnet County

An officer-involved shooting happened just after 10 p.m. a few miles outside of Marble Falls on Thursday night in the 12200 block of FM 1431.

An off-duty detective was on his way home and noticed a man outside of his car with a handgun, pointing it at another car with a family of three inside, police say.

The detective saw lives were in danger, so he immediately stopped his car, got out, and started shooting at the suspect, Interim police chief Brian Manley says.

The two exchanged gunfire and the suspect was hit twice.

While this was happening, the three people were able to escape into a nearby brushy area. The suspect, a 55-year-old white man, was found unconscious and airlifted to Dell Seton Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries. He is currently in stable condition.

Austin police say they're thankful no one was hurt and the detective was there.

"I think this highlights the fact - you know we talk about this that as a police officer even when you're off duty, you may be on duty,” Manley said. “From what I understand the facts to be, our detective saved lives last night based on the actions that he took. Had he not been on that stretch of roadway at that time, there's really no telling what would have happened."    

The family of three involved is safe. Manley says the off-duty officer involved is a 19-year veteran and as common practice he will be placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Manley says APD will not be investigating since it's out of their jurisdiction. The Burnet County Sheriff's Office with the help of the Texas Rangers are leading the case.