December 10, 2025
APO Recommendation for Case #2019-0792, Officers Karl Krycia and Joseph Cast
In response to the internal investigation initiated by the Austin Police Department's Chain of Command, Austin Police Oversight (APO) recommends that Officer Krycia be exonerated of the policy violation and that Officer Cast's administrative investigation be closed with a finding of Exoneration. APO's review of the investigation found the officers did not have time to fully initiate de-escalation tactics in the encounter with an armed subject, and their actions were within policy. APO requests a written explanation if the recommendation is not followed.
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JA
Austin
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Police Oversight
DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDATION
To:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
From:
Director Gail McCant, Austin Police Oversight
Date:
December 10, 2025
Subject:
2019-0792 Discipline Recommendation
Dear Chief Davis:
On August 1, 2019, Commander Jason Bryant signed an internal complaint directing the
Austin Police Department Internal Affairs Division (IAD) to conduct an Administrative Inquiry
to determine if any violation of Department policy, Civil Service Rules, or State law had been
committed by APD Police Officer Christopher Taylor, AP7798, Police Officer Karl Krycia,
AP7775, and Police Officer Joseph Cast, AP7764, in their actions during a critical incident.
Disposition by APD Chain of Command
The Administrative Inquiry had been on hold pending litigation in the Travis County District
Court, which was settled on November 21, 2025, when charges against Officer Krycia were
dismissed. Officer Taylor was found guilty of Deadly Conduct by a jury, and no charges were
filed against Officer Cast.
On November 25, 2025, APO was notified by the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) that the
investigative case file had been forwarded to Officers Krycia and Cast's chain of command
for disposition.
The Administrative Inquiry involved the investigative review of the following General Order:
APD General Order 200.4 Response to Resistance - Deadly Force Applications
APD General Order 208.4 Use of Taser Device
APO Disposition Recommendation: Exoneration
Upon reviewing the investigative file, I believe IAD conducted a straightforward and
unbiased investigation that collected and analyzed the pertinent information surrounding
the incident. The investigation confirms that Officers Taylor and Krycia were involved in a use
of deadly force through the discharge of their firearms, and Officer Cast used less-lethal
force by discharging his Taser at the suspect. Before making contact with the suspect, the
officers developed a tactical plan to approach the suspect with designated lethal, less-
lethal, and hands-on assignments.
Officers' body-worn camera (BWC) video shows the suspect standing in front of a mirror and
holding a knife in his right hand, pointed toward his throat, as the elevator doors opened in
1
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
JA
Austin
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Police Oversight
DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDATION
front of the officers. Officers Taylor and Krycia, designated lethal-force officers, aimed their
handguns toward the suspect, and Officer Cast, designated less-lethal force, aimed his
Taser toward the suspect. Officer Zuniga was designated as hands-on for control.
Officers told the suspect to drop the knife as he turned toward them. The suspect lowered
the knife and took a step in the direction of the officers. Officer Cast is observed on BWC
video deploying his Taser at the suspect as the suspect continued to hold the knife and took
an additional step toward the officers. After the Taser was deployed, and as the armed
suspect continued to move in their direction, Officers Taylor and Krycia began firing shots at
the suspect until they could see he was down.
The suspect was struck by gunfire and fell to the floor. Officers subsequently provided
medical aid to the suspect and secured the scene.
The Administrative Investigation found Officer Krycia had used deadly force against the
suspect by discharging his firearm twice at the suspect. During the IAD interview, when
asked if his actions were objectively reasonable and within policy, he stated, "yes," advising
"Cause he, uh, he presented a deadly force option after (being) - given commands and a
chance to comply. Uh, he did not comply with the commands. He still presented the deadly
force and ultimately escalated the situation to the point where I had to stop him."
During the IAD interview, Officer Cast was asked about his decision to deploy his Taser at
the suspect. He stated, in part, "Uh, when we got to the 5th floor the doors opened. Uh, we
could immediately see our subject - it was 5 feet or less from the elevator - or from us. Uh,
uh, he was st- standing, facing away from us, uh, looking at a mirror with a knife. Uh, when
he saw the elevator doors open he turned towards us, took the knife that was up, uh, held it
down by his side, and started to advance towards us. Uh, commands - verbal commands
were given for him to, "Drop the weapon." He did not comply, um, and I fired my taser." IA
asked Officer Cast if he believed his actions in this incident were objectively reasonable and
within policy and state law, to which he answered, "Yes."
I believe the actions of Officer Krycia were within policy, as deadly force was used to stop a
suspect armed with a knife and advancing toward the officers. Officers instructed the
suspect to drop the knife, at which point he appeared to lower his hand, but he continued to
hold the knife in a way that allowed him to transition quickly into a posture of risk for the
officers. The actions of the suspect, seen on BWC, demonstrate noncompliance with the
officers' commands before the use of deadly force. The suspect could have complied with
commands or fled from the officers to indicate he was not a threat to their safety.
2
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
JA
Austin
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Police Oversight
DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDATION
I believe the officers did not have the luxury of time or distance to allow them to reassess the
situation after the Taser was deployed and before deadly force was initiated. I also believe
the officers did not have time to fully initiate de-escalation techniques in accordance with
their Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). The armed suspect advanced toward them
immediately when the elevator doors opened, and the incident unfolded within
approximately three seconds of the doors opening.
Based on the factors outlined above, I recommend a finding of Exoneration for the policy
violation reviewed for Officer Krycia. Additionally, I recommend that Officer Cast's
Administrative Investigation be closed with a finding of Exoneration.
In compliance with Section 2-15-5(B) of the City Code, I request the Chief to "provide a
detailed public, written explanation for not following a recommendation of the Office of
Police Oversight."
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant
Director
Austin Police Oversight
3
JA
Austin
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Police Oversight
DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDATION
To:
Chief Lisa Davis, Austin Police Department
From:
Director Gail McCant, Austin Police Oversight
Date:
December 10, 2025
Subject:
2019-0792 Discipline Recommendation
Dear Chief Davis:
On August 1, 2019, Commander Jason Bryant signed an internal complaint directing the
Austin Police Department Internal Affairs Division (IAD) to conduct an Administrative Inquiry
to determine if any violation of Department policy, Civil Service Rules, or State law had been
committed by APD Police Officer Christopher Taylor, AP7798, Police Officer Karl Krycia,
AP7775, and Police Officer Joseph Cast, AP7764, in their actions during a critical incident.
Disposition by APD Chain of Command
The Administrative Inquiry had been on hold pending litigation in the Travis County District
Court, which was settled on November 21, 2025, when charges against Officer Krycia were
dismissed. Officer Taylor was found guilty of Deadly Conduct by a jury, and no charges were
filed against Officer Cast.
On November 25, 2025, APO was notified by the Internal Affairs Division (IAD) that the
investigative case file had been forwarded to Officers Krycia and Cast's chain of command
for disposition.
The Administrative Inquiry involved the investigative review of the following General Order:
APD General Order 200.4 Response to Resistance - Deadly Force Applications
APD General Order 208.4 Use of Taser Device
APO Disposition Recommendation: Exoneration
Upon reviewing the investigative file, I believe IAD conducted a straightforward and
unbiased investigation that collected and analyzed the pertinent information surrounding
the incident. The investigation confirms that Officers Taylor and Krycia were involved in a use
of deadly force through the discharge of their firearms, and Officer Cast used less-lethal
force by discharging his Taser at the suspect. Before making contact with the suspect, the
officers developed a tactical plan to approach the suspect with designated lethal, less-
lethal, and hands-on assignments.
Officers' body-worn camera (BWC) video shows the suspect standing in front of a mirror and
holding a knife in his right hand, pointed toward his throat, as the elevator doors opened in
1
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
JA
Austin
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
PHONE: 512.974.9090 | TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Police Oversight
DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDATION
front of the officers. Officers Taylor and Krycia, designated lethal-force officers, aimed their
handguns toward the suspect, and Officer Cast, designated less-lethal force, aimed his
Taser toward the suspect. Officer Zuniga was designated as hands-on for control.
Officers told the suspect to drop the knife as he turned toward them. The suspect lowered
the knife and took a step in the direction of the officers. Officer Cast is observed on BWC
video deploying his Taser at the suspect as the suspect continued to hold the knife and took
an additional step toward the officers. After the Taser was deployed, and as the armed
suspect continued to move in their direction, Officers Taylor and Krycia began firing shots at
the suspect until they could see he was down.
The suspect was struck by gunfire and fell to the floor. Officers subsequently provided
medical aid to the suspect and secured the scene.
The Administrative Investigation found Officer Krycia had used deadly force against the
suspect by discharging his firearm twice at the suspect. During the IAD interview, when
asked if his actions were objectively reasonable and within policy, he stated, "yes," advising
"Cause he, uh, he presented a deadly force option after (being) - given commands and a
chance to comply. Uh, he did not comply with the commands. He still presented the deadly
force and ultimately escalated the situation to the point where I had to stop him."
During the IAD interview, Officer Cast was asked about his decision to deploy his Taser at
the suspect. He stated, in part, "Uh, when we got to the 5th floor the doors opened. Uh, we
could immediately see our subject - it was 5 feet or less from the elevator - or from us. Uh,
uh, he was st- standing, facing away from us, uh, looking at a mirror with a knife. Uh, when
he saw the elevator doors open he turned towards us, took the knife that was up, uh, held it
down by his side, and started to advance towards us. Uh, commands - verbal commands
were given for him to, "Drop the weapon." He did not comply, um, and I fired my taser." IA
asked Officer Cast if he believed his actions in this incident were objectively reasonable and
within policy and state law, to which he answered, "Yes."
I believe the actions of Officer Krycia were within policy, as deadly force was used to stop a
suspect armed with a knife and advancing toward the officers. Officers instructed the
suspect to drop the knife, at which point he appeared to lower his hand, but he continued to
hold the knife in a way that allowed him to transition quickly into a posture of risk for the
officers. The actions of the suspect, seen on BWC, demonstrate noncompliance with the
officers' commands before the use of deadly force. The suspect could have complied with
commands or fled from the officers to indicate he was not a threat to their safety.
2
P.O. BOX 1088, AUSTIN, TEXAS 78767
JA
Austin
WWW.ATXPOLICEOVERSIGHT.ORG
POLICEOVERSIGHT@AUSTINTEXAS.GOV
PHONE: 512.974.9090 I TTY: 711 | FAX: 512.974.6306
COMPLAINT HOTLINE: 512-972-20PO
Police Oversight
DISCIPLINE RECOMMENDATION
I believe the officers did not have the luxury of time or distance to allow them to reassess the
situation after the Taser was deployed and before deadly force was initiated. I also believe
the officers did not have time to fully initiate de-escalation techniques in accordance with
their Crisis Intervention Training (CIT). The armed suspect advanced toward them
immediately when the elevator doors opened, and the incident unfolded within
approximately three seconds of the doors opening.
Based on the factors outlined above, I recommend a finding of Exoneration for the policy
violation reviewed for Officer Krycia. Additionally, I recommend that Officer Cast's
Administrative Investigation be closed with a finding of Exoneration.
In compliance with Section 2-15-5(B) of the City Code, I request the Chief to "provide a
detailed public, written explanation for not following a recommendation of the Office of
Police Oversight."
Sincerely,
Dail
Gail McCant
Director
Austin Police Oversight
3