The Austin Police Department provided new insights into a fatal officer-involved shooting in northwest Austin. The incident took place on the evening of October 22, 2023. The shooting occurred in the 9000 block of Northgate Boulevard and involved several officers and a suspect identified as Cristobal Ordonez Flores.
The altercation began when the police responded to a 911 call reporting an intoxicated individual threatening a woman with a firearm. Upon arrival, officers attempted to establish contact with the suspect, who was on a balcony with a gun. Despite orders to disarm, Flores aimed his weapon at the officers. In response, one officer employed a non-lethal PepperBall system while three others discharged their firearms.
Flores then retreated into the apartment, where it was feared he had taken a woman and a child hostage. Police continued to try to defuse the situation while awaiting the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team. Before SWAT’s arrival, officers believed the hostages were in imminent danger and forced entry into the apartment. Flores reportedly fired at the officers as they entered, prompting them to fire back.
The officers managed to safely evacuate the woman and child. They then attempted to provide medical assistance to the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at the scene by Austin/Travis County Emergency Medical Services. No officers or other civilians were physically harmed during the incident.
Following the shooting, the involved officers were placed on administrative leave, a standard protocol for such incidents. The APD is conducting two simultaneous investigations: a criminal investigation by the APD Special Investigations Unit and the Texas Rangers, alongside an administrative review by the APD Internal Affairs Unit. The Office of Police Oversight is also involved in overseeing the proceedings.
The police department is also appealing to the public for any photographic or video evidence that might shed further light on the events. The community is encouraged to submit any relevant material to the authorities to aid in the ongoing investigation.
In compliance with APD policy, footage from the officers’ body-worn cameras will be released within ten business days. This transparency is part of the department’s efforts to maintain public trust and accountability in their operations.
The suspect, Cristobal Ordonez Flores, had been previously identified to police, with a separate caller expressing concern for a child’s welfare in the same apartment complex. The 911 call initially reported Flores as holding a woman at gunpoint, although it was later clarified she was not his wife.
