AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Police Chief Brian Manley says there was no gun found in the vehicle or nearby area of an officer-involved shooting last month in southeast Austin that resulted in the death of 42-year old Michael Ramos.
The April 24 incident began with a 911 caller who reported people in a car in the 2600 block of South Pleasant Valley Road doing drugs with one of the subjects with a gun in his hands. The caller also said the man was waving the gun in the air. Police believed the vehicle, based on the description given, was connected to other crimes.
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When police arrived, they asked Ramos to get out of the car. Following a standoff with officers and Ramos' refusal to obey their commands, Officer Mitchell Pieper shot Ramos with a less-lethal bean bag round. Ramos proceeded to get into his vehicle and drive away, at which point Officer Christopher Taylor opened fire.
Manley said Monday that police executed a search warrant on Ramos' vehicle and the immediate area, and no gun was recovered.
So far, Manley said 45 interviews have been conducted, including officers who were at the scene and involved in the incident, civilians, and other first responders. There are still additional interviews to be conducted, Manley said, which prevents any release of video from officers' body-worn cameras. The city is also reviewing a motion made by Taylor's attorneys, who have asked that release of the videos be blocked.
The ongoing investigation involves APD's Special Investigations unit, the Texas Rangers, and the Travis County District Attorney's Office. There is also an internal investigation underway by APD and the Office of Police Oversight.