CEDAR PARK, Texas — Three Texas police officers were shot Sunday after responding to a call in a residential area and the suspect has barricaded himself inside a home with hostages, according to police.
The Cedar Park Police Department tweeted that multiple officers were shot after responding to a call at a home. The department added the “subject is barricaded inside the home and multiple law enforcement agencies are on scene.”
Interim Police Chief Mike Harmon told reporters at the scene that a mother called police around 3:10 p.m. local time. The mother told police her son had “kicked in the door and was acting very aggressive.” Officers responded to the house and “were met with gunfire,” Harmon said.
The suspect barricaded himself in the house with three other family members — his mother, a juvenile and a third person — after the officers were shot, Harmon said.
Harmon said it’s unknown if the officers hit the suspect, a man in his mid-20s. He said negotiators are on scene.
“There are some mental health issues,” Harmon said, adding officers want to “get this person the help they need.”
Harmon said he has “personally been in contact” with the officers who were shot and all three are doing well.
Harmon said officers are hoping for a peaceful resolution to the incident.
“We want to end this peacefully,” Harmon said. “For everybody involved. For the suspect that is inside, for the hostages that are inside, for the officers that are on the scene.”
Speaking to the suspect through reporters, Harmon added, “Please, if you’re listening to this, please come out and surrender yourself peacefully so we can resolve this situation tonight.”
Police also tweeted that the situation “remains a very active scene,” and the subject is not yet in custody. A helicopter circled overhead and dozens of emergency vehicles lined the street at the scene.
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The City of Cedar Park, a major suburb of Austin, advised people to avoid the area of the shooting.
Gov. Greg Abbott expressed his support for the officers.
“Our hearts are with the police officers who were injured while protecting the Cedar Park community this afternoon,” he said in a statement. “We must never take for granted the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, and the state of Texas stands ready to provide the support and resources needed to bring justice to those involved.”
Contributing: Jordan Culver, USA TODAY; The Associated Press
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