Police Dashcam Captures Fatal Shooting Of Car Burglary Suspect







 Austin, Texas — An Austin police officer will not face criminal charges in connection with the fatal shooting of a car burglary suspect that occurred in April 2025. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced that a grand jury has declined to indict Officer Armando Perez, determining that his use of force in the incident was legally justified.The shooting took place on Sunday, April 3, just after 11:00 a.m., in a parking lot located in the 500 block of West Avenue. According to the Austin Police Department, 25-year-old Darrin Martin was reportedly involved in a series of vehicle burglaries inside a parking garage at the Austin City Lofts, situated on nearby 5th Street.

Officer Perez, who was on a routine downtown patrol assignment at the time, noticed a man running from the apartment building. That man was later identified as the concierge of the building, who appeared to be pursuing Martin on foot. Sensing that a crime might be in progress, Officer Perez joined the chase and eventually caught up with both men in the parking lot of Frank and Angie’s PizzeriaUpon arrival, Officer Perez observed a physical altercation between the concierge and Martin. The concierge quickly explained that Martin had been caught in the act of burglarizing vehicles inside the garage. As Officer Perez attempted to take Martin into custody and reached to place him in handcuffs, Martin suddenly drew a firearm and fired a round that struck Officer Perez in the lower torso.

The bullet hit Perez below his bulletproof vest, causing a serious injury. Despite being wounded, Officer Perez managed to return fire while still at the scene. His shots fatally wounded Martin, who was pronounced dead shortly after the incident. Police secured the scene and began an investigation into both the shooting and Martin’s suspected criminal activity.Officer Perez was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Though his injuries were significant, he has since recovered and has resumed his duties with the Austin Police Department. The department commended his bravery and quick response in the face of life-threatening danger.

Following the shooting, investigators uncovered evidence linking Darrin Martin to a string of vehicle burglaries in nearby San Marcos. Authorities in San Marcos confirmed that Martin was a suspect in approximately 30 separate burglary cases in their jurisdiction. These incidents involved thefts of valuables from unlocked vehicles, including stolen credit cards, cash, electronics, firearms, and other personal items.

The investigation also revealed that Martin was known to carry a firearm, and his criminal history included multiple theft-related offenses. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office presented the case to a grand jury, which ultimately decided not to file any charges against Officer Perez. The decision was based on the conclusion that Officer Perez had acted in self-defense when he fired his weapon after being shot.

Chief Joseph Chacon of the Austin Police Department issued a statement following the grand jury’s decision, expressing support for Officer Perez and acknowledging the difficult and dangerous situations officers face on a daily basis. “This case is a stark reminder of the threats our officers encounter in the line of duty,” he said.The community response to the incident has been mixed, with many expressing relief that no additional lives were lost and gratitude that the injured officer recovered. Others have called for continued scrutiny and transparency in all officer-involved shootings.

As for the victim of the burglary attempts, the apartment concierge who initially pursued Martin was not injured and has cooperated fully with investigators. No charges are expected to be filed against him.The case is now closed, though the San Marcos Police Department continues to investigate Martin’s possible involvement in unresolved theft cases in their city.




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