Police ID Man Killed By Officers In South Austin Shooting

Austin TX

02 November, 2021

11:57 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — A 56-year-old man who was shot and killed by Austin police office last week after an hourslong standoff with authorities was identified Monday. Robert Bruce Richart died Wednesday after police say he shot at Austin Code Enforcement for attempting to mow his lawn, set fire to his home and walked out of his garage armed with weapons. Around 9: 16 a.m., police assisted Austin Code Enforcement with a search warrant on lawn maintenance at a home located 10610 Pinkney Lane in south Austin. Live in Austin? Click here to subscribe to our free breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox and mobile devices. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, and download our free mobile app on Android or iPhone. When officials were unable to make contact with the homeowner, contractors for the city began to mow his front and back yards. RELATED: Austin Man Shot, Killed By APD Officer After Hourslong Standoff By 10:21 a.m., an Austin police officer told dispatch that someone inside the home fired shots at them, police said. The person was later identified as Richart. Officials said the officers and contractors were not harmed. Following the incident, police dispatched its SWAT team for an armed, barricaded person. Police said several attempts were made to contact Richart, who was inside the home, but were unsuccessful. By 10:43 a.m., SWAT, mental health officers and APD Crisis Negotiators were on scene to help get the situation under control and avoid further violence. For several hours, officers tried to make contact with Richart, but were unsuccessful. At 3:19 p.m., APD SWAT officers were in the backyard of Richart's home when he began to shoot at police. Because Richart shot at police, authorities said SWAT used a robot to get inside his home. Officers discovered through the robot's camera that a fire was started inside the home. Police said they urged Richart to come outside for the next 20 minutes, but he refused. By then, the home was fully engulfed in flames and Austin fire began to attempt to extinguish the fire. At 3:39 p.m., authorities say the garage door opened and Richart walked out with weapons in his hands. A SWAT officer fired at Richart and struck him. The 56-year-old fell to the ground and officers disharmed him and moved him to safety from the burning house. Police and EMS began life-saving measure on Richart before he was taken to a local hospital. He later died from his injuries. Officials said an Austin Code Enforcement employee had minor injuries from the incident and was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas to be treated. Police said the officer-involved shooting was captured on the officer's body-worn camera. Authorities say they are working on locating any other sources of video before releasing the footage within 10 business days. The officer who shot at Richart was identified as Eric Strnad. Strnad has been with Austin PD for eight years and 7 months. Per police protocol, Strnad was placed on administrative leave. APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation 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.