Suspect identified after 3 officers shot in standoff at Texas home
CEDAR PARK, Texas (NewsNation) — A suspect is in custody and all hostages have been released following a standoff near Austin, Texas, that left three officers wounded.
The suspect surrendered Monday morning after barricading himself in a Cedar Park home and holding family members hostage the day before, NewsNation affiliate KXAN reported.
Cedar Park police said on Twitter that the man and his mother “had come out of the house peacefully” at about 9 a.m. An hour earlier, police announced in a press conference that the man had released his brother, sister and a family pet.
“The scene will continue to be active for quite a while as we investigate,” police said.
Monday, Cedar Park police identified the suspect as 26-year-old Joseph Desean Taylor. Taylor has been charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public servant and three counts of aggravated kidnapping — all charges are first degree felonies. He is awaiting transport to Williamson County jail.
Police had been in negotiations with Taylor for more than 16 hours since three officers were shot Sunday afternoon, Interim Police Chief Mike Harmon said. More than 50 rounds were fired during the incident.
Two of the wounded officers have been treated and released from a hospital and the third was undergoing surgery, Harmon said Monday morning.
Taylor’s mother had initially called police after she said her son kicked in a door of the home and was acting aggressive, Harmon said. When officers arrived at the home, they were shot at. Officers returned fire.
Central Texas Regional SWAT and members of the FBI also responded to the scene, KXAN reported.
Cedar Park police arrested Taylor previously, on Sept. 17, 2019. He was charged with one felony count of assault on a family member, and his bond was set at $75,000. A month after his arrest, he was released from Williamson County jail, according to county records. Taylor’s assault charge was dismissed on March 12, 2020.
“Our hearts are with the police officers who were injured while protecting the Cedar Park community this afternoon. We must never take for granted the service and sacrifice of our law enforcement officers, and the State of Texas stands ready to provide the support and resources needed to bring justice to those involved,” Republican Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement.