A handgun-wielding Texas teenager was shot and killed by sheriff's deputies in the early hours of Wednesday after reports that he fired a shot at a neighbor and then advanced on officers while armed.
Austin Hodo, 18, died near his family's $1.3 million home in a gated community in Boerne, Texas. Deputies were dispatched to the community following the report of the discharged firearm.
Upon arrival, deputies encountered Hodo, who had recently graduated from the private Geneva School of Boerne, standing in the middle of the street dressed only in his underwear. Dashcam footage released by the Kendall County Sheriff's Office shows officers repeatedly ordering Hodo to drop the handgun he was carrying. Audio logs indicate that Hodo had allegedly attempted to shoot the person who called 911.
The video shows Hodo, who had been planning to attend Texas Tech University, carrying a shirt and the weapon. After numerous commands to comply, Hodo raised the handgun and fired at the group of four deputies, who then discharged their firearms in response.
Deputies reported their arrival at the scene shortly after 5 a.m., with one officer noting, "I want you to roll up with me. I'm going to use your car for cover." Another deputy advised that Hodo was holding a gun concealed by a shirt.
The dashcam footage captures Hodo standing in the street, turning, and walking toward the deputies. He then raised his hand and fired his weapon. In response, the deputies fired their weapons, striking Hodo, who fell to the ground. Deputies then approached and rendered aid. Hodo was pronounced deceased at the scene.
No deputies were injured during the incident. The sheriff's office stated that despite numerous commands, Hodo refused to drop the weapon and advanced toward the deputies before firing at them. The investigation into the shooting remains active and ongoing, with no motive released at this time.
