APD Investigates the July 24, 2026, Officer-Involved Shooting in the 10100 block of Baden Lane

The Austin Police (APD) continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that occurred on Friday, July 24, 2026, with an initial 9-1-1 call coming in at 3:51 a.m., and the shooting occurring at 4:02 a.m., in the 10100 block of Baden Lane. 
 
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 Austin Police Oversight (APO) 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 APO have reviewed the audio and video materials identified for public release. The details provided today are preliminary, as we are very early in the investigation.   
 
The officers who discharged their Department-issued firearms have the following years of service with the Department: 

• Officer Alexis Cruz – 3 years, 9 months
• Officer Jake Pitcher – 3 years, 5 months
• Officer Avery Zucchi – 2 years, 10 months

Per APD protocol, the officers have been placed on administrative leave.    
 
APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into this incident: 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 Austin 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. As noted above, the details provided here are preliminary, as we are very early in the investigation.

On Friday, July 24, 2026, at 3:51 a.m., APD officers responded to a 9-1-1 call reporting a male in the parking lot of 10110 Baden Lane with a gun. When asked by the 9-1-1 call taker if the person was brandishing the handgun, the caller responded affirmatively. Officers responded within two minutes and searched the area. They located a male near the community park in the 10100 block of Baden Lane. The male was later determined to be a 17-year-old Black male. Upon positive identification from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office, APD will release the name of the individual. 
 
Officers attempted to de-escalate the encounter by directing the person to keep his hands up. The individual lifted his shirt and reached for his waistband. At 4:02 a.m., Officer Jake Pitcher, Officer Alexis Cruz, and Officer Avery Zucchi discharged their firearms, striking the individual. Officers secured the scene while conducting a systematic search to ensure there were no additional suspects or threats, and then began providing medical aid. Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) later arrived on the scene and continued life-saving measures. Despite those efforts, the individual was pronounced deceased at 4:25 a.m. 
 
Officers did not locate a firearm at the scene.  It was later determined that the initial 9-1-1 call reporting the person with a firearm was placed from the decedent’s phone. 
 
No officers were injured during the incident, and there are no reported injuries to members of the public. 
 
This incident was captured on officers’ body-worn cameras. These 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 officers’ actions and contain graphic content and language. Viewer discretion is advised.   
 
MATERIALS BEING RELEASED:

• Police Radio Traffic
• 9-1-1 Call Audio
• Body-Worn Camera Video – Officer Jake Pitcher
• Map of area

All of the released materials are available on APD’s YouTube Channel and other social media platforms. The link to the materials is below.  
  
Please click the link here: July 24, 2026 – Critical Incident – APD’s YouTube Channel 

Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD’s Special Investigation Unit at (512) 974-6840 or email at APDSpecialInvestigations@austintexas.gov. You may also call Capital Area Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-8477, or you may submit a tip online at austincrimestoppers.org. You may remain anonymous.