Austin, TX
Operation Texas Kill Switch: Effort to get illegal devices off streets
AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Western District of Texas, along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, announced a new effort on Monday to get illegal “machine gun conversion devices”, also known as “switches” off Texas streets.
“I’m announcing the launch of Operation Texas Kill Switch,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza.
“They possess the capability of turning semi-automatic firearms into fully automatic machine guns,” said Robert Topper, ATF Special Agent in charge of the Houston Field Division.
The goals of Operation Kill Switch are to encourage state and local police to look out for switches, and to urge the public to report switches to police.
“As the problem continues to escalate, we are determined to do more,” said Esparza.
The feds say they’ve seen a sharp increase in switches across Texas. Nine-hundred and ninety-one were seized in our state between 2017 and 2023, and 490 of those were seized last year alone. They’re often bought online, and can even be 3D-printed.
“These devices have a particular appeal to young people who are exposed to them through social media posts and advertisements,” said Topper.
Switches, made of either metal or plastic, slide into the back of a gun, and allow the shooter to fire dozens of rounds.
“You just pull the trigger once, and you unload that clip,” said Esparza.
“These weapons are notoriously difficult to control,” said Topper. “That brings a much greater risk to innocent bystanders whenever they’re used.”
Switches have been used in multiple deadly shootings, including the murder of a Houston police officer, and a deadly mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party in Alabama last year. Often, the guns themselves are stolen.
Crime Stoppers are offering up to $5,000 for information regarding switches or their production. That reward runs through August 31.
“We are very fearful of what will happen if we don’t start addressing this problem,” said Esparza.
Switches are banned under federal law in almost all cases. If you’re caught with one, you could face up to 10 years in prison.
WIMBERLY, Texas – The names of all five people killed in the Central Texas plane crash late Thursday night have been released.
Plane crash victim names
The latest:
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the names of the five victims in the Wimberly, Texas crash are as follows:
- Justin Appling (pilot)
- Hayden Dillard
- Seren Wilson
- Brooke Skypala
- Stacy Hedrick
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators are on scene and serving as the lead investigative agencies, DPS said in their Saturday release.
What we don’t know:
The cause of the crash has yet to be determined.
Fatal Texas plane crash
The backstory:
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra says first responders received the call just after 11 p.m. April 30 about an aircraft down in the Wimberley area.
The crash happened in a wooded area in the 200 block of Round Rock Road, near the area of Ledgerock Road and FM 2325, northwest of Wimberley. The NTSB says the crash happened at around 11:03 p.m.
A post-impact fire destroyed the plane, says the NTSB.
According to FlightAware, the plane was on its way to New Braunfels from Amarillo.
The aircraft has been identified as a Cessna 421C that had five people on board. All five are confirmed dead.
A preliminary investigation shows the plane was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of the crash, but there is no indication of a mid-air crash. A second plane traveling in the same area landed safely in New Braunfels.
Flight tracking data shows the plane had a normal takeoff, climbing to 17,400 feet, but just before 11 p.m., something went wrong. The data showed the plane suddenly started dropped, plunging more than 5,000 feet per minute. Within minutes, radar contact was lost.
The Source: Information in this update comes from the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Five people were killed when a small private plane crashed and caught fire near Austin, Texas, according to state and local officials. A pickleball club identified the victims as members who were traveling to a tournament.
The crash happened at about 11:05 p.m. on Thursday in the Wimberley area, about 40 miles southwest of Austin, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety and Hays County officials. The FAA said the aircraft was a Cessna 421C.
Sgt. Billy Ray with the Texas Department of Public Safety said all five people on board were killed, including one pilot and four passengers. He also confirmed that the plane caught fire after the crash.
The Amarillo Pickleball Club identified the victims as Seren Wilson, Brooke Skypala, Stacy Hedrick, Glen Appling and Hayden Dillard. The club said they were members of its “Amarillo pickleball family” and were traveling to a pickleball tournament when the crash happened.
“Today, the Club has received terrible news that we all must mourn in the loss of five members of our Amarillo pickleball family,” the club said in a statement. “Please keep their precious families in your thoughts and prayers.”
Fire and EMS personnel remained at the crash site through the early morning hours, according to Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra. Preliminary information indicated the aircraft was traveling at a high rate of speed at the time of impact.
Becerra said there was no indication of a mid-air collision. A second aircraft that was flying nearby landed safely in New Braunfels, a city northeast of San Antonio.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the crash.
From street fairs to cultural celebrations, Austin is packed with action this weekend! Check out the best local spots for free food, live music, and family fun. FOX 7 Austin’s Amanda Salinas shares the details all in the FOX 7 Weekend.
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