Deputies in Kendall County, Texas, fatally shot an 18-year-old man who was reportedly firing a handgun in his underwear in a residential neighborhood. The incident occurred early Wednesday morning after law enforcement responded to calls about shots fired.
Dashcam footage released by the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office shows Austin Hodo walking toward deputies while holding a handgun in his left hand and dragging a shirt with his right. Deputies repeatedly ordered Hodo to drop the weapon, but he did not comply. The video captures Hodo raising the gun and firing a shot, after which deputies discharged their firearms.
The deputies arrived at the scene near Hodo's family's home in the Bent Tree community, outside San Antonio, shortly after 5 a.m. Dispatcher audio indicated that a neighbor had already been shot at, and that Hodo had allegedly attempted to shoot at a 911 caller. The dispatcher informed deputies that Hodo was described as a male in his underwear standing in the middle of the roadway and firing a handgun.
Deputies reported seeing Hodo with the gun and identified him as the subject described by callers. After the shots were fired by deputies, they immediately rendered aid and applied tourniquets. Emergency medical services arrived, but Hodo was pronounced dead at the scene.
According to a statement from the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were not injured. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The statement also noted, "This is a difficult time for everyone. Our office asks if you are a person of faith, please pray for everyone affected by this incident."
Information from local news station KENS5 indicated that Hodo had recently graduated from Geneva School of Boerne, a private Christian institution, and had plans to attend Texas Tech University. Police have not released information regarding a possible motive for the incident or Hodo's history with law enforcement.