Police investigate after SWAT officer and 2 others found dead following hostage firefight in Austin

Austin's interim chief of police Robin Henderson said during a press briefing that the Austin Police Department responded to reports of a stabbing around 2:50 a.m. on Saturday. Upon arriving at the location, responding officers found two injured victims inside the home with the suspect. Police said authorities located a third victim in the neighborhood after she had managed to escape the residence and was transported to the hospital.

The victim told authorities the suspect was allegedly armed with a knife, police said.

Officers conducted a forced entry into the home at 3 a.m. but were met with gunfire, prompting them to retreat. The Austin Police SWAT Team was called to the scene to respond to a barricaded suspect inside the home with two hostages.

At 4:11 a.m., SWAT officers entered the home and engaged in a shootout after the suspect opened fire on officers. The suspect was fatally shot by SWAT. During the shootout, two SWAT officers were struck by bullets which left one killed, and another in stable condition.

The two hostages inside the residence were pronounced dead at the scene, authorities said.

The deceased SWAT officer has been identified as Senior Police Officer Jorge Pastore.

In a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, Henderson wrote: "My heart is heavy today. Please help me and our APD family pay tribute to SPO Jorge Pastore for his brave & heroic actions. Sir, we'll take it from here."

"Thanks for all the prayers & thoughts. Continue to keep the Pastore family and our second Officer injured in your prayers," he added.

The Austin Police Department said that the incident is under investigation.