Austin, September 3, 2025

News Summary

The Austin Police Department has released body camera footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting that led to the death of 33-year-old Raymond Lee Howard. The incident occurred during an arrest operation at ThunderCloud Subs, where Howard was a suspect in multiple burglaries. After a confrontation with police, Howard drew a handgun, resulting in officers shooting him, while a bystander, Fernando Martinez, sustained a non-life-threatening injury. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, and a GoFundMe page has been established for Martinez’s recovery.

Austin

The Austin Police Department released body camera footage of a fatal officer-involved shooting that occurred on August 28, 2023, at ThunderCloud Subs on Slaughter Lane, near Menchaca Road. The shooting resulted in the death of 33-year-old Raymond Lee Howard, a suspected burglar, who was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the incident.

The conflict began when officers were conducting an arrest operation for Howard, who had been identified as a suspect in multiple residential burglaries. On August 27, Howard allegedly carried out a burglary while the homeowner was present, using a handgun during the incident. As officers spotted Howard arriving on his motorcycle, they made their way into the restaurant to apprehend him.

Upon entering the establishment at approximately 5:26 p.m., police officers issued verbal commands for Howard to lay on the ground. However, Howard refused to comply and instead turned toward a bystander, Fernando Martinez. During this confrontation, Howard drew a handgun from his crossbody bag, prompting Martinez to intervene by tackling him.

During the ensuing struggle between Howard and Martinez, a shot was fired. The responding officers then discharged their weapons, striking Howard. Emergency personnel pronounced him dead at 5:46 p.m. Martinez suffered a non-life-threatening gunshot wound to his arm and was treated at a local hospital.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis commended Martinez for his bravery, calling him a hero for his quick actions that likely saved lives. The three officers involved in the shooting—identified as Detectives Marcus Gonzalez, Craig Pruitt, and Ricardo Cardona—are on administrative leave, a standard procedure following such incidents.

An investigation into the shooting is currently underway, comprising a criminal investigation led by the Austin Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit along with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office, as well as an administrative investigation by the APD Internal Affairs Unit. Authorities are working to determine the origin of the bullet that struck Martinez—whether it came from Howard’s weapon or the officers’ firearms.

A GoFundMe page has been established to assist Fernando Martinez with his medical recovery. Authorities are also encouraging anyone with additional information regarding the incident to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-6840 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.

Background Information

Raymond Lee Howard had been previously identified by police as a suspect in a series of home invasions, and his violent burglary spree had escalated to the point where officers were actively seeking to arrest him. The incident at ThunderCloud Subs reflects a growing concern about public safety and the safety of law enforcement professionals in the face of escalating criminal activity.

Conclusion

The case remains under investigation as authorities seek to conclusively determine the events that unfolded during the fatal altercation. The incident highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in apprehending suspects involved in violent crimes, as well as the potential dangers faced by bystanders like Fernando Martinez who intervene in such situations.

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Additional Resources

• KVUE: APD Body Camera Footage
• Wikipedia: Austin
• Fox 7 Austin: Officer-Involved Shooting Update
• Google Search: Raymond Lee Howard Austin
• CBS Austin: Fatal Shooting Footage Release
• Google Scholar: Police Shooting Austin
• KXAN: APD Press Conference
• Encyclopedia Britannica: ThunderCloud Subs Shooting
• Austin American-Statesman: Police Shooting Raymond Lee Howard
• Google News: South Austin Shooting

Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER

The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.