Austin Police provide update on deadly downtown protest shooting

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AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Austin Police are continuing to investigate a deadly shooting during Black Lives Matter protests in downtown Austin Saturday evening.

Austin Police Chief Brian Manley gave an update on the investigation Sunday afternoon.

The incident happened just after 9:45 p.m. Saturday at Congress Avenue and 4th Street.

Manley said the preliminary investigation shows a driver was attempting to turn southbound on Congress from 4th when he encountered a group of protesters in the roadway. Those protesters surrounded his vehicle, and one of them - who has been identified as 28-year old Garrett Foster - allegedly pointed an AK-47 type rifle at the driver, while others in the crowd began to strike the vehicle. At that point, the driver drew a concealed handgun and fired several shots out the window at Foster from inside the vehicle.

At that point, nearby officers responded to the scene and began performing CPR on Foster, with Austin Fire and Austin-Travis County EMS crews taking over. Foster was later transported to Dell Seton Medical Center, where he was pronounced deceased at 10:25 p.m.

Several callers reported the incident to 911. Manley said one of those callers was the driver involved, who told dispatchers that he had shot someone who had approached his driver's side window and pointed a rifle at him. The caller was instructed to pull over and wait for police; the driver was taken to police headquarters to be interviewed, and the handgun and vehicle were secured as evidence.

A separate individual, who heard the disturbance and the initial gunshots, observed the vehicle as it was driving away. That person drew a concealed weapon, Manley said, and fired several shots at the vehicle as it was driving away.

Investigators spent much of the early morning hours combing the scene, interviewing witnesses, and collecting evidence. After consultation with the Travis County District Attorney's office, both individuals who fired their weapons were released from custody pending further investigation. Manley said both had concealed handgun licenses.

The medical examiner's office will conduct an autopsy to officially determine Foster's cause of death.

Manley asked anyone with video, photos, or information on the incident to call the APD Homicide tip line at 512-974-8477, or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.