UPDATED: Police standoff ends with one death, will body camera footage be released?
An hours-long standoff ended this morning in Abilene with one death after a woman fired at police officers, according to allegations in a police press release.
One officer has since been placed on administrative leave while the Texas Rangers complete a full investigation.
'Negotiators and SWAT were called out'
Close to 9 p.m. Monday, Abilene police officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Grape Street in north Abilene.
A caller told dispatchers a female had discharged a firearm "at the calling party's family member, committing an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon," according to allegations in a police press release.
The woman then proceeded to barricade herself inside her home. In the meantime, officers arrived on scene and set up a perimeter around the residence.
"Negotiators and SWAT were called out to assist," officials said in the release.
After several hours of negotiations, the woman "opened the door and fired a round at officers," officials said.
Officers proceeded to return fire, killing the woman.
The 44-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene by Justice of the Peace Shawna Joiner, according to police. The next of kin notification has not yet been made.
No officers at the scene were injured, and no other injuries have been reported. One officer has since been placed on administrative leave per departmental policy.
Neither the officer nor the suspect in question was named on Tuesday morning.
Will the body cam footage be released?
"The release of video will be discussed with City Legal after the investigation is completed," Abilene Police Chief Ron Seratte said. "There are no plans for a press conference as the Texas Rangers are running the investigation."
When The Reporter-News first met Seratte in December of 2023, the question was asked whether he believes in police transparency and in the early release of body camera footage.
"Body camera footage of officers can't be released quickly enough," Seratte said at the time.
This article originally appeared on Abilene Reporter-News: Police standoff ends with one death; will we see body camera footage?
