The Austin Police Department (APD) continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at approximately 4:11 a.m., in the 700 block of Azie Morton Road. 
   
APD understands the importance of building trust within our community and will continue working diligently to develop a strong and trusting relationship. As per our policy, we share information about a critical incident in a timely manner. APD is working with the Office of Police Oversight (OPO) and the City of Austin to release this information today. The news release includes links to the relevant audio and video from the ongoing investigation. The Travis County District Attorney's Office and OPO have reviewed the audio and video materials identified for public release. 
 
The officer who discharged his Department-issued firearm has the following years of service with the Department:  

• Officer Adam Reinhart – 6 years, 2 months

Per APD protocol, Officer Reinhart has been placed on paid administrative leave.   
 
APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this officer involved shooting: a criminal investigation conducted 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.   
   
Transparency and accountability are key elements needed to serve and build relationships within the Austin community. Below is the chain of events related to this critical incident that will help you understand what took place. The details provided are preliminary, as we are very early in the investigation.   
 
On Wednesday, September 10, at 3:31 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers were doing a curfew check in the area of Zilker Park. Officers located a vehicle that was reported stolen in the 700 block of Azie Morton Road and called for the vehicle to be towed. While some officers left to patrol other areas of the park, Officer Reinhart remained at the scene to wait for the tow truck. When the tow truck driver was preparing to load the vehicle onto the tow truck, he was approached by two subjects claiming that the vehicle was theirs. A short time later, Officer Reinhart approached the subjects as they began to walk into a wooded area. 
 
At 4:10 a.m., Officer Reinhart approached the woodline and identified himself as Austin Police. He gave multiple commands for the subjects to stop and to come out of the woods. Officer Reinhart stated that the subjects were detained and not free to go. The female subject, later identified as Kay Smith, 12/31/1994, began walking towards Officer Reinhart. Officer Reinhart gave commands to a male subject behind Ms. Smith, later identified as Brandon Thompson, 30 years of age, telling him to get his hands out of his pocket. 
 
Shortly after, Mr. Thompson fired shots, striking Ms. Smith in the head and Officer Reinhart in the abdomen. Officer Reinhart returned fire. Mr. Thompson fled on foot back into the wooded area, and Officer Reinhart waited for backup. Approximately two minutes later, additional officers arrived on scene. An APD officer transported Officer Reinhart to a local hospital, and he was treated for his injuries. Ms. Smith was also transported to a local hospital, where she was pronounced braindead at 2:37 p.m. the same day. 
 
APD officers, including SWAT, AIR1, and K9, began searching the area for Mr. Thompson. At 7:44 a.m., a suspicious person call came in from the Austin Independent School District Police Department (AISD PD) at Barton Hills Elementary School. Prior to the call, the school already was in a “Secure” status. Once Barton Hills Elementary learned that the suspect was near the campus, the campus went into “Lockdown” status. An AISD sergeant recognized the person who had the same description as the suspect involved in the earlier shooting. The sergeant gave verbal commands to the suspect, such as “Stop, get on the ground,” however, Mr. Thompson continued to run. 
 
APD officers continued to search for Mr. Thompson. He was spotted by an APD officer at approximately 7:52 a.m. and fled towards a home in the 2500 block of Homedale Drive. Mr. Thompson kicked open the front door, ran into the house and the homeowner opened fire, striking him in the arm and the leg. Mr. Thompson was transported to a local hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. He is currently in stable condition. 
 
Mr. Thompson’s charges include:

• Attempted Capital Murder of a Peace Officer – 1st Degree Felony
• Burglary of a Residence – 1st Degree Felony

Additional charges against Mr. Thompson are pending. 

Previous booking photo of Brandon Thompson

No other individuals, including the tow truck driver or any residents of the home, were injured in the incident. Officers were able to locate the handgun that Mr. Thompson used in the shooting, and it has been submitted as evidence.  
 
This incident was captured on the officer’s body-worn camera. Videos do not always capture everything the officers or witnesses saw or experienced during the incident; however, the footage helps us understand what occurred. 
   
In compliance with state law that prohibits the release of certain information and to maintain the integrity of the investigation, the materials have been redacted.   
   
The materials include comprehensive footage of the officer’s actions and contain graphic content and language. Viewer discretion is advised.  

MATERIALS BEING RELEASED:

• Body-worn camera – Officer Reinhart
• Police Radio Traffic Audio

All of the released materials are available on the Department's YouTube and other social media platforms. The link to the materials is below.   
 
Please click the link here: September 10, 2025 – Critical Incident – YouTube 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD’s Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. For the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers submission, you may submit a tip online at austincrimestoppers.org. You may remain anonymous.