Austin Officials Clash Over Investigation of Officers in Mass Shooting

Governor Abbott vows to have final say on officers' fate as DA denies plans to bring them before grand jury

Mar. 3, 2026 at 10:48pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Tensions are rising in Austin, Texas after Governor Greg Abbott and the Travis County District Attorney's Office clashed over the investigation of three police officers involved in a mass shooting incident in the city's nightlife district. While the police association president claimed the DA planned to bring the officers before a grand jury, the DA strongly denied those allegations, calling them "intentionally false" and stating the officers are "heroes" who will not face charges.

Why it matters

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and prosecutors in high-profile use-of-force cases, as well as the political dynamics at play when elected officials like the governor get involved. The outcome could impact public trust in the investigation process and how officer-involved shootings are handled in the future.

The details

According to reports, three Austin police officers responded to an "active attack" outside of Buford's Bar on Sunday, resulting in the death of three victims and injuring more than a dozen others. While the internal investigation is still in its early stages, the Austin Police Association president claimed the Travis County District Attorney's Office planned to bring the officers before a grand jury. However, DA José Garza strongly denied those allegations, calling them "intentionally false" and stating the officers are "heroes" who will not face charges. Governor Greg Abbott also weighed in, saying he will have the "final say" on the officers' fate.

  • The mass shooting incident occurred around 2 a.m. on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
  • Governor Abbott made his statement on the officers' fate on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

The players

Greg Abbott

The Governor of Texas who has vowed to have the final say on the fate of the police officers involved in the Austin mass shooting incident.

José Garza

The Travis County District Attorney who strongly denied claims that his office planned to bring the officers before a grand jury, calling the allegations "intentionally false."

Michael Bullock

The President of the Austin Police Association, who alleged that the DA planned to bring the officers before a grand jury.

Doug O'Connell

An Austin-based attorney who has publicly announced he is representing the three officers in the ongoing criminal investigation.

Central Texas Public Safety Commission

A commission that has urged the DA to skip the grand jury review for the officers, stating they are "heroes" to the Austin community.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These police officers are heroes who saved lives. Whatever the DA does, I will have the final say in the fate of these police officers.”

— Greg Abbott, Governor of Texas

“These officers are heroes, and it should go without saying that my office is not seeking any charges and would not seek charges. The accounts to the contrary are false, intentionally false, and are being peddled for obvious political purposes.”

— José Garza, Travis County District Attorney

“The officers who rushed to save countless lives are heroes to the Austin community and beyond. The Central Texas Public Safety Commission strongly encourages DA Garza not to refer these officers to the Grand Jury.”

— Central Texas Public Safety Commission

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow the officers to be brought before a grand jury.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between law enforcement and prosecutors in high-profile use-of-force cases, as well as the political dynamics at play when elected officials get involved. The outcome could impact public trust in the investigation process and how officer-involved shootings are handled in the future.