Austin, TX, September 3, 2025
News Summary
The Austin Police Department has released body camera footage of a confrontation that resulted in the fatal shooting of 33-year-old Raymond Lee Howard, a burglary suspect. The incident occurred at ThunderCloud Subs, where bystander Fernando Martinez intervened, sustaining injuries in the struggle. Investigations are underway, and the police chief praised Martinez as a hero for his actions. Both the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and Austin Police Internal Affairs are looking into the case.
Austin Police Release Body Camera Footage of Fatal Shooting of Burglary Suspect, Identify Injured Bystander as Hero
Austin, Texas – The Austin Police Department has released body camera footage of a shooting incident that left a burglary suspect dead and a bystander injured. The confrontation took place on August 28 at ThunderCloud Subs, located at 1807 West Slaughter Lane, around 5:26 p.m.
The deceased has been identified as 33-year-old Raymond Lee Howard, who was a suspect in multiple burglaries and home invasions in the South Austin and Buda areas, including an incident just one day prior where he allegedly burglarized a home while the occupant was present. In the process of making an undercover arrest related to stolen goods, police confronted Howard.
The released footage shows detectives ordering Howard to get on the ground. Instead, Howard retreated towards bystander Fernando Martinez while pulling a handgun from a crossbody bag. Martinez intervened, tackling Howard in an attempt to disarm him. During the struggle, Howard fired at least one shot before three detectives, identified as Marcus Gonzalez, Craig Pruitt, and Ricardo Cardona, opened fire, killing Howard.
Martinez sustained injuries during the conflict, although it remains unclear whether his injuries resulted from Howard’s bullet or from police gunfire. He was hospitalized overnight, but his injuries were reported to be non-life-threatening. Following the incident, police placed the involved detectives on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
Investigations into the shooting are underway by both the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and the Austin Police Internal Affairs. The circumstances leading to the incident highlighted Howard’s dangerous history, including previous traffic pursuits and methamphetamine use. The police operation was executed by the Major Crimes Suppression Unit due to Howard’s notoriety for criminal behavior.
Footage from nearby businesses showed the dangerous nature of the incident, including a bullet striking a neighboring property where the owner was present at the time. Authorities have since encouraged anyone with information regarding the incident to contact the Austin Police Department’s Special Investigation Unit or Crime Stoppers anonymously.
In a press conference following the incident, Police Chief Lisa Davis recognized Martinez’s decisive actions, calling him a hero for his bravery during the confrontation. In support of Martinez, a GoFundMe page has been set up to aid him following the incident.
Key Details:
- Incident Date: August 28, 5:26 p.m.
- Location: ThunderCloud Subs, 1807 West Slaughter Lane, Austin, TX
- Deceased: Raymond Lee Howard, 33
- Bystander: Fernando Martinez, injured but recovering
- Involved Officers: Detectives Marcus Gonzalez, Craig Pruitt, Ricardo Cardona
- Investigation: Ongoing by Travis County District Attorney’s Office and APD Internal Affairs
Background Context:
In the week prior to the shooting, Howard was wanted by law enforcement for a series of burglary cases, which included violent encounters. The police had engaged in an undercover operation to apprehend him while attempting to purchase stolen property. The rapid escalation of events underscored the dangerous nature of the situation, as highlighted by the collateral damage to nearby businesses.
FAQ
What happened during the shooting incident in Austin?
The incident involved the fatal shooting of burglary suspect Raymond Lee Howard by Austin police officers during an undercover operation. A bystander, Fernando Martinez, was injured while trying to disarm Howard, who had pulled a handgun.
Who is Fernando Martinez and what role did he play in the incident?
Fernando Martinez is a bystander who intervened during the confrontation between police and Raymond Lee Howard, tackling Howard to prevent further violence. He sustained injuries but is recovering.
What investigations are currently ongoing related to the incident?
Both the Travis County District Attorney’s Office and the Austin Police Internal Affairs are conducting separate investigations into the shooting incident to establish the facts and ensure accountability.
Incident Overview Chart
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Date | August 28 |
| Location | ThunderCloud Subs, 1807 West Slaughter Lane |
| Deceased | Raymond Lee Howard, 33 |
| Bystander | Fernando Martinez (injured) |
| Involved Detectives | Marcus Gonzalez, Craig Pruitt, Ricardo Cardona |
| Investigation Bodies | Travis County District Attorney, APD Internal Affairs |
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Additional Resources
- KVUE News: APD Body Camera Footage Released
- Wikipedia: Raymond Lee Howard
- KVUE News: Bystander Recovering After Tackling Suspect
- Google Search: Fernando Martinez Austin Shooting
- FOX 7 Austin: Officer-Involved Shooting Update
- Google Scholar: Officer-Involved Shooting Austin
- Austin American-Statesman: Police Shooting in Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin Police Shooting
- CBS Austin: Release of Police Footage in Fatal Shooting
- Google News: Austin Police 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.
