A man suspected of stalking down a street, repeatedly firing a rifle and then shooting at police surrendered peacefully after a tense late-night standoff, investigators said.
No one was hurt and officers never returned fire, officials said.
“I don’t know the motivation for firing (in the neighborhood), then firing at police after that,” Taylor Police Chief Henry Fluck said. “Very fortunately, no one’s been injured.”
Jorge Luis Serna Jr., 25, of Taylor, was remanded without bond to the Williamson County Jail June 15. He has been charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against a public servant, a first-degree felony.
He was taken into custody at 2:32 a.m. the same day, officers said.
According to officials, police at 10:46 p.m. June 14 responded to a report of shots fired on Lenora Drive. Witnesses told investigators a man walking down Lenora fired off a shotgun several times.
Although some neighbors said they were walking outside, no one was hit, officials said.
“When the first officers arrived, (the assailant) fired at the officers and then ran into a residence,” Fluck said.
Peace officers heard a single shot passing near them, the chief added.
A neighbor said local police were delayed in their arrival, although other agencies responded immediately.
Taylor officials said only two police officers were in the city at the time; a third was booking a prisoner at the jail miles away in Georgetown.
Meanwhile, other agencies provided rapid backup, including the Williamson County Sheriff’s Office and its special- response team, the Hutto Police Department, a Department of Public Safety aircraft, a special-response team from Round Rock and the Central Texas Regional Special Weapons and Tactics team.
Law-enforcement officers surrounded the home. Using the Reverse 911 notification system, police urged neighbors to shelter in place. Officers evacuated a few homes as a precaution.
Shortly after 2:30 a.m. June 15, the suspect came out of the house and surrendered.
The chief said it is not known if drugs or alcohol played a role in the episode, but the investigation is continuing.
“We are going to be executing a search warrant at that residence,” Fluck said.
Investigators want to search the home for the firearm used in the incident, the chief added.
Fluck said the department received a similar call in the same area May 19. However, it’s unknown if the cases are connected.
