City of Austin

Case: 26-0040143
 
Date: Sunday, January 4, 2026      
 
Time: 2:08 a.m.
 
Location: 9515 N. Lamar Blvd.
 
Victim (Deceased): Aaron Armstrong, White male, 7/6/1974
 
Suspect (Arrested): Thomas Vences, Hispanic male, 38 years of age

Suspect (Arrested): Rolando Colindres Simon, Hispanic male, 22 years of age

On Sunday, January 4, 2026, at approximately 2:08 a.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to 9515 N. Lamar Blvd. for the call of a Shoot/Stab hotshot. The caller reported a peace officer had been shot. APD, Austin Fire (AFD), and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) responded and located Deputy Aaron Armstrong (Caldwell County Constables Office, Precinct 3) with trauma to his person. He was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased at 6:39 a.m.

Austin Police Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation revealed that Deputy Armstrong was working security at Club Rodeo when the incident occurred. Earlier in the evening, he attempted to deescalate a disturbance involving the suspect, Thomas Vences, who was both verbally and physically resistant to efforts to take him into custody outside of the night club. Deputy Armstrong identified himself as a police officer and wore clothing that clearly indicated his authority. Despite this, he was able to flee the scene on foot.

Later that night, Deputy Armstrong observed Vences to still be in the nightclub parking lot. He attempted to arrest Vences again, at which point Vences produced a handgun and shot Deputy Armstrong. Right after the shooting, an acquaintance of Vences entered his vehicle to leave the scene. While driving away, Deputy Armstrong’s extremity was run over by the acquaintance. The driver was later identified as Rolando Colindres Simon, 22 years of age. After fleeing the scene, Vences was eventually apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He has been charged with Capital Murder of a Peace Officer and his acquaintance Colindres Simon was charged with Assault on a Peace Officer.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.
 
This case is being investigated as Austin's 2nd homicide of 2026.