Austin, September 13, 2025
News Summary
An early morning officer-involved shooting in Austin left one woman brain dead and a police officer injured. The incident, which occurred during a curfew check near Zilker Park, involved a confrontation with a couple over a stolen vehicle. As a result of the shooting, the officer is recovering, while the woman has been declared brain dead. A suspect has been charged with attempted capital murder and burglary.
Austin, Texas – An officer-involved shooting early on September 10 has left one woman brain dead and a police officer injured. The incident took place at approximately 3:30 a.m. near Zilker Park as officers from the Austin Police Department (APD) conducted a routine curfew check and discovered a stolen vehicle on Azie Morton Road. The shooting has prompted investigations by both the APD and other authorities.
Officer Adam Reinhart was present when two individuals, later identified as Kay Smith and Brandon Thompson, approached the vehicle, claiming ownership. When the couple moved toward a nearby wooded area, Officer Reinhart confronted them. At around 4:10 a.m., he identified himself and ordered the couple to exit the woods. Smith complied and approached Reinhart, while Thompson remained behind. Thompson then opened fire, injuring both Smith and Officer Reinhart. Smith was shot in the head, while Reinhart was struck in the abdomen. In response, Reinhart returned fire, and Thompson fled into the woods.
Officer Reinhart was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries. Tragically, Kay Smith was declared brain dead later that afternoon, at 2:57 p.m., after being taken to a medical facility. Initial reports suggest that Smith and Thompson were in a relationship.
Following the shooting, the police initiated a search for Thompson. By 7:44 a.m., authorities received a suspicious person call from the Austin Independent School District Police Department at Barton Hills Elementary School, prompting the school to go into lockdown due to Thompson’s presence in the area. Thompson was eventually spotted running and broke into a nearby home on Homedale Drive. The homeowner engaged with Thompson, resulting in Thompson being shot in the arm and leg. He was taken to the hospital in stable condition.
Thompson has been charged with attempted capital murder of a peace officer and burglary of a residence, with further charges anticipated. His criminal background includes drug possession, resisting arrest, and unauthorized use of a vehicle.
This incident marks the fifth officer-involved shooting in Austin this year. The Austin Police Department has initiated both a criminal investigation and an administrative review regarding the shooting. Officer Reinhart has been placed on administrative leave, as is customary in such situations. Chief Lisa Davis has expressed concern regarding the ongoing issue of repeat offenders in the community. Preliminary assessments indicate that there were communication issues during the incident, which led to a premature downgrade of a shelter-in-place order.
Mayor Kirk Watson commended the response efforts of law enforcement and local community members during the situation. Austin residents have been encouraged to register for Warn Central Texas to receive emergency alerts in the future. A review of the communication breakdown is underway to prevent similar issues in future incidents.
Key Statistics
- Date of Incident: September 10, 2023
- Time of Incident: 3:30 a.m. CDT
- Casualties: 1 woman brain dead, 1 officer injured
- Suspected Criminal: Brandon Thompson
- Total Officer-Involved Shootings in 2023: 5
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened during the incident?
Officer Adam Reinhart was conducting a curfew check when he encountered a couple near a stolen vehicle. After a confrontation, Brandon Thompson opened fire, injuring the officer and his companion, Kay Smith, who later died.
Are there any charges filed against the suspect?
Yes, Brandon Thompson faces charges of attempted capital murder of a peace officer and burglary, with additional charges expected.
How is Officer Reinhart doing?
Officer Reinhart was taken to the hospital and is expected to recover from his injuries.
What measures are being taken to prevent future incidents?
The APD is reviewing the communication breakdown that occurred during the incident to improve future response protocols.
Overview of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Date | September 10, 2023 |
| Time | 3:30 a.m. |
| Location | Zilker Park, Austin, Texas |
| Involved Officer | Officer Adam Reinhart |
| Victim | Kay Smith |
| Suspect | Brandon Thompson |
| Officer’s Status | Expected to recover |
| Victim’s Status | Brain dead |
| Charges Against Suspect | Attempted capital murder, burglary |
| Number of Officer-Involved Shootings in 2023 | 5 |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Shooting Incident at Zilker Park Injures Officer and Woman
Austin Police Identify Suspect in Officer-Involved Shooting
Homeowner Confronts Suspect During Dramatic Police Manhunt in Austin
Shooting Incident in Austin Raises Community Safety Concerns
Tragic Incident at Evergreen High School: A Community in Shock
Barton Hills Elementary Responds to Nearby Shooting
U.S. Education Secretary Visits AI-Powered Alpha School
University of Texas at Austin Ranks Among America’s Top Colleges
Additional Resources
- KVUE News
- Google Search: Austin Police Shooting Zilker Park
- Fox San Antonio
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Zilker Park
- CBS Austin
- Google Scholar: Officer Involved Shooting
- KXAN News
- Wikipedia: Zilker Park
- Austin American-Statesman
- 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.
