US4 min(s) read
Published 12:27 10 Jul 2026 GMT
Texas police have revealed that they have shot an 18-year-old dead after they found him wandering the streets near his family's mansion.
The teenager was also firing a handgun on the streets of Bent Tree, a gated community in Boerne, near San Antonio, Texas.
Austin Hodo, 18, was gunned down near his family's $1.3 million home in the early hours of Wednesday (July 8), after officers responded to reports of shots being fired in the neighborhood.
Authorities arrived on the scene shortly after 5 AM, noticing that he was holding a gun in his left hand.
Dispatcher audio of the incident would also be obtained by a local news outlet, as the recent high school graduate was fatally wounded.
Officers have not said anything about a motive, with it unknown if Hodo had any past run-ins with law enforcement.
Footage released by the Kendall County Sheriff’s Office revealed that the teenager was walking towards the police officers with a gun in his left hand, dragging a shirt in his right hand.
Hodo continued to walk towards the four officers, appearing dazed, as they screamed at him to stop and drop the weapon.
Cops could be heard yelling: “Drop the gun! Drop it!”
The Texas teen ignored their warnings, raising the gun instead and letting off a shot, as the video cuts off and audio captures the sound of gunfire.
Deputies then shot back, fatally wounding Hodo.
Officers arrived on the scene at 5.04 AM after one neighbor was already shot at, as reported by KENS5.
Hodo was pronounced dead at the scene, despite attempts to revive him.
Dispatched audio obtained by the news outlet revealed that radio transmissions of the incident began at 4.55 AM, as a dispatcher told deputies: "We have a shooting in the 100 block of Bent Tree. Can we have you guys start heading that way?"
“Someone just fired a gun. It will be a male standing in the middle of the roadway. He’s going to be in his underwear shooting,” they warned.
The dispatcher says that multiple 911 calls were made over the teen's erratic behavior, as they added: “He has a handgun, and he tried to shoot at the caller.”
One officer told the other: “I want you to roll up with me. I’m going to use your car for cover.”
Another deputy could be heard reporting: “He’s got a gun in his left hand!”
After the shooting, deputies could be heard saying: “Shots fired! Shots fired!”, before calling for emergency services, while applying tourniquets to Hodo.
While emergency services arrived and said that he had a slight pulse, he was pronounced dead minutes later.
The statement read:“Despite numerous commands to drop the weapon, Hodo refused to comply,
“As Hodo continued advancing toward the deputies, he raised the handgun and fired at them.
“In response, deputies discharged their firearms. Hodo was struck by gunfire and fell to the ground.
“Deputies then made a tactical approach and immediately rendered aid. Hodo was pronounced deceased at the scene.
“No deputies were injured during the incident. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
“This is a difficult time for everyone. Our office asks if you are a person of faith, please pray for everyone affected by this incident.”
The Daily Mail reports that the teenager recently graduated from Geneva School of Boerne, a private Christian institution which charges up to $18,360 in annual fees.
The 18-year-old played for the school's football team and was planning to enroll at Texas Tech University later this year.
