Tragedy as gun-wielding boy, 18, wearing only his underwear is shot dead by cops after wandering streets near his family’s $1.3m mansion in gated community
An 18-year-old man, Austin Hodo, was shot dead by sheriff's deputies in the early hours of Wednesday after wandering the streets of a gated community in Boerne, Texas, dressed only in his underwear and carrying a handgun. Deputies from the Kendall County Sheriff's Office had been called to the area, near Hodo's family's $1.3 million home, following reports that he had fired a shot at a neighbour. The case highlights concerns around police use of lethal force and the handling of individuals who appear to be in acute distress.
Dashcam footage released by the sheriff's office shows officers pleading with Hodo more than 20 times to drop the weapon. Hodo, a recent graduate of the private Geneva School of Boerne who had been planning to begin studies at Texas Tech University this autumn, appeared unresponsive and seemingly entranced. He raised the gun and fired at the four deputies present, who then opened fire. The footage cuts off after his shot, though audio indicated that officers attempted to revive him and called for an ambulance.
- Texas teenager Austin Hodo, 18, shot dead by deputies in Boerne.
- Found in underwear with a gun after reportedly firing at a neighbour.
- Officers asked him over 20 times to drop the weapon.