APD Releases Body Cam Footage of September 10 Zilker Park Shooting Amid Communication Breakdown
“As a parent, I want you to know that I certainly understand the frustration, the concern that our community felt. We recognize the seriousness of this mistake.” — APD Chief Lisa Davis
The Austin Police Department released graphic body camera footage Friday showing the moments when Officer Adam Reinhart was shot while confronting 30-year-old Brandon Thompson near Zilker Park early Wednesday morning. The incident has highlighted significant communication failures between APD and Austin ISD during a subsequent manhunt that caused confusion throughout the Barton Hills neighborhood.
The video captures the moment Officer Adam Reinhart confronted two individuals in the tree line, including the suspect, 30-year-old Brandon Thompson.
The graphic footage shows Thompson shooting a woman, identified as his girlfriend Kay Smith, in the head before firing at Officer Reinhart.
(WARNING: GRAPHIC VIDEO)
TIMELINE OF EVENTS
- At 5:27 a.m., a shelter-in-place message was sent to people signed up for the Warn Central Texas alert system within the incident radius.
- At 6:30 a.m., a follow-up message lifted the shelter-in-place.
- At 6:34 a.m., another message advised people to avoid the area due to heavy police presence.
- At 6:59 a.m., AISD police leadership was briefed on the situation and the status of the suspect, who was still at large at the time.
- At 8:31 a.m., another message was sent advising people to avoid the area due to heavy police presence.
- At 8:57 a.m., a final message was sent, lifting the shelter-in-place order and advising people to resume their normal activities.
The incident began around 3:30 a.m. when officers conducting park curfew enforcement discovered a stolen vehicle. Reinhart stayed behind to wait for a tow truck while other officers left to continue patrolling. When Reinhart spotted two figures in nearby trees and went to investigate, he encountered Thompson and Smith, who claimed ownership of the car.
After asking Thompson and Smith to come out of the woods, Reinhart asked Thompson to take his hand out of his pocket and show his hands. Not long after that interaction, Thompson pulled out a gun and shot Smith in the back of the head, and Reinhart after multiple shots. Reinhart was struck in the abdomen.
Communication Breakdown During Manhunt
Following the shooting, Thompson fled to a nearby school and then into the Barton Hills neighborhood, triggering a manhunt that exposed serious communication problems between law enforcement agencies. The lockdown order was prematurely canceled, leading to confusion at nearby schools which were gearing up to start. Communication between APD, the district and parents was muddied.
“We’re committed to tightening up our protocols and enforcing our systems to make sure that this does not happen again,” said Wayne Sneed, Chief of Austin ISD Police.
The miscommunication created what officials described as “major confusion” as alerts were sent through multiple systems including Austin ISD and the Warn Central Texas Alert System while the suspect remained at large.
Chief Davis Promises Reforms
APD Chief Lisa Davis acknowledged the communication failures while framing them within what she called the department’s commitment to learning from mistakes. Davis acknowledged that the rapid development of the situation contributed to communication breakdowns. “Yeah, I think it’s, I mean, it’s absolutely fair to say, but at the end of the day it’s still about how do you learn from those mistakes and get better,” she said.
FRIDAY’S BRIEFING IN ITS ENTIRETY
Davis and Sneed confirmed that APD and Austin ISD will be participating in various tabletop exercises in the near future to avoid a breakdown in communications like this again.
The incident represents the latest test of Davis’s leadership philosophy, which emphasizes what she has previously characterized as fostering a “culture of learning” within the department. Her approach focuses on using critical incidents as opportunities for improvement rather than simply assigning blame.
Ongoing Investigation
Thompson was eventually shot in the arm and leg by a homeowner after attempting to break into a residence on Homedale Drive. At this point, his charges include attempted capital murder on a police officer, burglary of a residence, and additional charges are pending. Smith was pronounced brain dead at a local hospital.
Officer Reinhart underwent surgery and is recovering from his gunshot wound to the abdomen. “As a police chief, to hear that one of your officers has been shot is one of the most terrifying things you can imagine,” said Lisa Davis.
Ms. Smith, shot in the head by Thompson during the exchange of gunfire, has been declared brain-dead and is not expected to survive. Charges against Thompson may be revised if she succumbs to her injuries.
A review of public records and social media indicate Thompson hailed from rural Ohio where he attended Mechanicsburg High School while Travis County court records show he has a lengthy criminal history in the Austin area and beyond. In at least two of the local cases, prosecutors chose to drop charges against Thompson. — Austin American-Statesman
Austin police have arrested a man in connection with a series of burglaries at Royal Blue Grocery this week. (CBS Austin)
Austin police released information regarding a fatal car accident Thursday.
The city of Austin will not have to change its ballot language for the upcoming November tax rate election, following a decision from the Texas Supreme Court on Friday.
CapMetro and city officials marked the completion of a portion of the transit system’s Project Connect plan.
Construction is now underway downtown on the redeveloped Austin Convention Center. The $1.6 billion project is in its structural construction phase.
The new parkway will connect communities from downtown Austin to Cedar Park to Leander and will provide an inclusive, car-free alternative for travel to area destinations, transit, and public spaces,
Travis County Judge Andy Brown talks with CBS Austin‘s Abigail Velez regarding immigration crackdowns in Austin, the Charlie Kirk assassination and more.
A employee with the city of Marble Falls has been fired after allegedly posting statements on social media related to the shooting death of political activist Charlie Kirk, city officials said Friday. The city did not release the employee’s name or specify their role. (KVUE-TV)
Meanwhile, Gov. Greg Abbott issued a warning…
The Texas Department of Public Safety said it increased security measures for legislative staff at the Texas Capitol, citing the shooting of conservative personality Charlie Kirk in Utah and other “violent incidents.” (KXAN-TV)
Delta Airlines is increasing its presence at ABIA and attempting to give rival Southwest a run for their money. (Austin Business Journal)
WEATHER
5-DAY FORECAST /AUSTIN, TEXAS
This week in wild weather.
Two days after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order to regulate hemp-derived THC in Texas, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick issued a lengthy statement criticizing Abbott’s order point-by-point.
“This is not a personal fight with the governor. It is a disagreement on extremely important policy. We worked together well this session and will in the future. On this issue, we disagree.”
Main Arguments Against the Executive Order:
Industry Legitimization Concerns:
- The executive order sends a “state seal of approval” signal to the THC industry
- The same companies selling dangerous products to minors for four years will continue operating without a ban
- Many current THC products remain illegal and mislabeled
Legislative vs. Executive Action:
- The Legislature passed Senate Bill 3 to ban dangerous THC products, which Abbott vetoed
- The Legislature “never voted to legalize recreational marijuana or the intoxicating THC products now sold at nearly 9,000 locations across the state”
- A comprehensive regulation bill referenced in the order lacked legislative support and didn’t receive hearings
Specific Shortcomings of the Executive Order:
- Doesn’t ban synthetic THC products (Delta 8, Delta 10)
- Doesn’t prohibit high-potency Delta 9 THC products
- Doesn’t restrict stores near schools
- Anticipates continued illegal resale to minors
- Requires extensive law enforcement resources to manage violations
Safety and Protection Concerns:
- “One highly potent THC product can cause irreversible damage to a young person’s mind forever”
- Age restrictions alone are insufficient (citing alcohol/cigarette parallels)
- Recent undercover investigations showed employees warning products could be lethal
Political and Legal Arguments:
- Claims federal law doesn’t prevent states from banning THC (citing multiple circuit court decisions)
- Notes 70% of Republicans oppose regulation plans leading to recreational marijuana
- Argues the order creates a pathway to recreational marijuana legalization
Patrick emphasizes this represents a policy disagreement rather than personal conflict, while maintaining support for medical THC use and expressing openness to future discussions with the governor.
The building will reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, September 15, as a Disaster Outreach Center. (Texas Public Radio)
Governor Greg Abbott signed House Bill 4211 into law Friday to ban residential property developments, like EPIC City, from creating Sharia compounds and defrauding and discriminating against Texans.
The Department of Public Safety has seized over $2 million worth of cocaine which was being brought over the Rio Grande River from Mexico. (FOX 7 Austin)
A man has died after a medical emergency at the Bexar County Adult Detention Center, the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
A Houston-area midwife has been charged with 15 felonies, after being arrested earlier this year for performing unlawful abortions in Texas. (Texas Scorecard)
A report from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that the cost of owning a home in Texas rose in 2024, even amid efforts from lawmakers to cut property taxes. (Texas Standard)
(Episode from September 12, 2025)
Former Texas Congressman Colin Allred discusses Rep. James Talarico‘s announcement that he will be joining an increasingly crowded Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Allred says his main platform issues include fighting corruption and lowering costs for the public.
SPORTS
ON THE SCHEDULE
HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL
Austin Metro Area High School Football Scores – Friday, September 12, 2025
Major Games:
- Lake Travis 59, Legacy 13
- Westlake 35, Atascocita 28
- Vandegrift 24, Stony Point 0
Other Austin Area Results:
- Akins 20, Manor New Tech 0
- Anderson 37, College Station 14
- Bastrop 70, Prestonwood Christian 55
- Blanco 35, Lanier 0
- Cedar Park 36, Huntsville 29
- Dripping Springs 31, Harker Heights 26
- East View 24, Belton 10
- Georgetown 35, Copperas Cove 32,
- Hutto 63, Cedar Ridge 49
- Jarrell 64, Caldwell 35
- Johnson City LBJ 49, Miles 6
- La Grange 41, Smithville 7
- Lago Vista 48, Taylor 7
- LBJ Austin 34, Wimberley 33
- Leander 43, Del Valle 14
- Lexington 33, Rockdale 7
- Llano 50, Marble Falls 18
- Mason 50, Coleman 9
- McCallum 34, Pinkston 28
- McNeil 70, Round Rock Westwood 45
- New Braunfels 41, Del Rio 0
- Nixon-Smiley 47, Flatonia 17
- Pflugerville Connally 35, Rudder 24
- Salado 42, Giddings 14
- San Marcos 52, Wagner 13
- Smithson Valley 42, Madison 10
- Thrall 43, Eastside Memorial 36
- Thorndale 54, Bartlett 6
- Tivy 48, Fredericksburg 10
- Vista Ridge 30, Round Rock 29
MLB: All aboard the Rangers train.
Jacob deGrom received a six-run lead before throwing a pitch in his return to Citi Field, and the Texas Rangers beat the Mets 8-3 on Friday night to give New York its third seven-game losing streak this year. (Yahoo! Sports)
Zach Cole hit a home run in his first major league at-bat, Jose Altuve hit his 25th homer of the season and the Houston Astros routed the Atlanta Braves 11-3 on Friday night. (Yahoo! Sports)
ON THE SCHEDULE
AL WEST STANDINGS
WILD CARD RACE
MLS: Austin FC hits the road to take on Texas rivals FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium tonight. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. CT as the Verde & Black aim to collect a third consecutive victory. (Austin FC)
Enjoy a popular East Texas Piney Woods getaway, from above the trees at Huntsville State Park.
