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‘Our officer’s a hero': Off-duty Texas officer fatally shoots gunman in barbershop

A man armed with a gun entered a barbershop and began shooting at customers and employees; he was fatally shot by an off-duty Austin Police officer

AUSTIN, Texas — An off-duty Austin police officer fatally shot a gunman who opened fire inside a barbershop in the Pflugerville area, KXAN reported.

Travis County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of shots fired at a business on Feb. 20. Officials said a man armed with a gun entered the barbershop and began shooting at customers and employees.

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One employee was struck and fled to a nearby home for help. He was hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries, according to the sheriff’s office.

A patron inside the shop, who was later identified as an off-duty officer with the Austin Police Department, shot and killed the gunman. Authorities have not yet identified the suspect, and a motive has not been determined.

“Our officer’s a hero … and probably saved multiple lives inside this barbershop,” Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis stated.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to the report.

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Joanna Putman is an Associate Editor and newswriter at Police1, where she has been covering law enforcement topics since August 2023. Based in Orlando, Florida, she holds a journalism degree from the University of Florida and spent two years working in nonprofit local newsrooms, gaining experience in community-focused reporting. Married to a law enforcement officer, she works hard to highlight the challenges and triumphs of those who serve and protect. Have a news tip? Email her at news@lexipol.com