Austin, TX
Austin police officer Christopher Taylor sentenced to 2 years for fatal on-duty shooting in 2019
Christopher Taylor, the first Austin police officer to be convicted for an on-duty shooting in the department’s modern history, has been sentenced to two years in prison.
Taylor’s attorneys are appealing Tuesday’s decision from Travis County District Court Judge Dayna Blazey.
Taylor fatally shot Mauris DeSilva at his downtown condo in 2019. DeSilva was in a mental health crisis and holding a knife. Taylor’s attorneys argued he acted within APD’s training and was defending himself. Travis County prosecutors argued he didn’t need to kill DeSilva.
After the sentencing, DeSilva’s father told Taylor his actions were “ignorant,” that his son was having a mental health episode, and that he posed no threat to him. Denzil DeSilva, who locked eyes with Taylor, said he needed to pay for breaking the law, same as anyone else.
“You have to accept that punishment,” he said. “I am not happy sending a person to … prison. But if they’ve [made] a mistake, even [if it is] my child, you have to pay for that.”
A jury deliberated for 30 hours before finding Taylor guilty of deadly conduct in October. Convictions for on-duty shootings are rare in Texas.
Taylor’s attorneys opted to let Blazey decide his sentence, rather than a jury. Under state law, judges are required to sentence people convicted of a crime involving a deadly weapon to prison. Had Taylor been sentenced by a jury, he could have been given probation.
That decision loomed over the sentencing, with Taylor’s attorney, Ken Ervin, arguing Blazey could commute his client’s sentence to probation. The judge disagreed.
In closing arguments, Ervin argued his client didn’t deviate from his training. He said witness testimony, which included two former APD chiefs, proved it was “a legally justified shooting.”
“If there is in fact a problem,” Ervin said, “it’s inherently unfair then to punish one individual when the broad consensus is [that] what he did was right.”
Defense attorneys also stressed, as they did through the trial, that Taylor’s conviction – and possible prison sentence – would have a lasting impact on APD, a department that’s struggled for years to recruit and retain officers.
Prosecutors pushed back, saying Taylor didn’t follow protocol in this case – or in the 2020 shooting of Mike Ramos. County Prosecutor Dexter Filkins argued Texas counties can – and do – prosecute wrongdoing by police officers. Filkins said Travis County’s decision to prosecute Taylor was necessary: He broke the law when he killed DeSilva.
“Harris County and Dallas County and Tarrant County … have prosecuted police officers,” he said. “This is not some kind of unique Travis County campaign.”
Taylor was released on bond, according to the Austin American-Stateman. His attorneys have already appealed the sentence.
Longtime Austin criminal defense attorney George Lobb, who was not involved with the case, said the decision to put the case before Blazey – and not a jury – was “odd” given the law. But, he added, it’s likely Gov. Greg Abbott will issue a pardon.
“I see no reason why he wouldn’t do that,” Lobb said. “There’s no political capital lost.”
Abbott drew national headlines earlier this year for his pardon of Daniel Perry, the former Army sergeant convicted of murdering a Black Lives Matter protester in 2020. The governor could issue a pardon or clemency to reduce Taylor’s sentence, but only after a recommendation from the state’s Board of Pardons and Paroles. Given that the board is comprised of members appointed by Abbott, Lobb said, a recommendation could come soon.
Taylor was also tried for murder last year in the on-duty fatal shooting of Mike Ramos. Taylor shot Ramos, who was unarmed and fleeing in a car, near a Southeast Austin apartment complex in 2020. That case ended in a mistrial.
In a statement to KUT, Austin’s Assistant City Manager Eddie Garcia said he was “disheartened by the outcome” of the case, adding that he was “mindful” of the impact the decision would have on Austin police officers.
“We are also acutely aware that policing procedures must evolve, particularly around de-escalation tactics and responding to mental health crises,” he said. “From the top leadership of the Austin Police Department to our rank-in-file officers, we are committed to making those changes and are focused on building trust in our community and creating a safe city for everyone.”
2026 PRO SWIM SERIES – AUSTIN
A revised version of the heat sheets for this weekend’s Pro Swim Series opener in Austin, Texas is absent a number of big names, with a handful of other significant scratches revealed by the Wednesday morning heat sheets.
Out of the Meet
The biggest names to have fully withdrawn from the meet include US National Team members Hunter Armstrong and Grant House.
The two-time Olympian and three-time Olympic relay medalist Armstrong has raced sparingly since the Paris Olympics, citing financial hardship behind the hiatus. That included skipping the World Championship Trials in 2025.
He did race at the U.S. Open in December, but only briefly: he finished 14th in the 50 free final (22.35) and 14th in the 50 back prelims (25.65) before scratching the B-Final.
In Austin this week, he was scheduled to race the 50 free (#8 seed), 100 back (#2 seed), 50 fly (#8 seed), 50 back (#2 seed), and 100 free (#6 seed).
Fellow U.S. National Team member Grant House has also pulled out of the meet. He had 5 entries in the meet including 5th in the 200 IM and 6th in the 100 fly.
House recently posted a video of a “speed practice” at Arizona State, so the reason behind his withdrawal is not obvious.
Other full-meet withdrawals include:
- 17-year-old Addison Bitel from Laker Swim in Florida, who was the #5 seed in the thin women’s 50 and 100 meter breaststroke fields, plus 6th in the 200 breast. Her teammate Brynn Lavigueur, the #6 seed in the 50 back and #7 seed in the 100 back, also scratched the meet.
- 16-year-old Natalie Bradac from the University of Denver Hilltoppers club team, the #9 seed in the 100 breast
Last-Minute Additions
In addition to the scratches, there were some last minute additions to the meet entries. That includes breaststrokers Luke Barr and Mitch Mason, who are both training with Coley Stickels‘ pro group at Texas Ford Aquatics.
They are the #7 and #8 seeds in the 100 breaststroke, with the versatile Barr also holding high seeds in the 50 fly (#9), 100 fly (#7), and 50 back (#6).
Wednesday Scratches
The most significant scratch from the final psych sheet to Wednesday’s heat sheet is French international Pauline Mahieu. Part of a large contingent of French swimmers at the meet, Mahieu was the #2 seed in the 100 back.
That is her only entry of the meet, so in essence she has scratched the meet.
While one recent Instagram post from last week said that she planned to leave for Los Angeles for a camp with the French team on January 5, her Instagram story on Tuesday shows her dragging a sled with groceries across the snow with the caption “change of scenery.”
The women’s 1500 free also saw scratches from the #2, #3, and #4 entries behind the event’s most dominant swimmer ever Katie Ledecky.
The #2 seed Claire Weinstein, the #3 seed Ashley Twichell, and the #4 seed Caroline Pennington are all absent from the heat sheets in a field that has been reduced to only its 8 swimmer ‘fastest heat.’
Weinstein, a freshman at Cal, is still entered in the 50 free as the #11 seed, while Twichell and Pennington won’t race on Wednesday at all.
The other big scratch from Wednesday’s heat sheets is Kato Trinquesse, another Denver Hilltopper drop from the women’s 100 breaststroke field. She was promoted to the #7 seed after her teammate withdrew from the meet.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Central Texas Food Bank is expanding its partnership with Austin Independent School District by opening six new school-based food pantries at elementary schools across the district.
The Feeding Futures School Pantry locations provide families with convenient access to food on their child’s campus, according to the food bank.
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“This is a wonderful way for us to provide easy access to food – nutritious, healthy food – that’s culturally relevant to families,” Anurita Mittra, Vice President of Network Programs and Services with the Central Texas Food Bank, said.
By placing food resources where families already gather, the pantries help remove transportation barriers and reduce stigma associated with seeking food assistance. The pantries are designed to feel welcoming and supportive for families.
“Schools are trusted spaces, and these pantries are designed to feel welcoming, familiar, and supportive for families,” the food bank said.
A complete listing of participating school districts and on-campus pantries is available here.
Austin, TX
Bradlink’s President: Helen Callier to Speak at the University of Texas Austin Readiness Training Program for HUB’s Graduation
AUSTIN, Texas, Jan. 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Bradlink LLC’s president – Helen Callier will speak at the University of Texas at Austin signature IC2 Institute’s Readiness Training Program (RTP) Graduation for Historically Underutilized Businesses (HUB’s). Helen leads an award-winning SBA small business and industry recognized government contracting firm that provides technical services to various local agencies including Austin Independent School District (AISD).
This training program for HUB’s provides Regional Technical Assistance Resources, reviews government databases to register in and presents information on government contracting. The final session and graduation are designed to motivate the mostly start-up companies to propose and position their firms to win government contracts.
With 20 years of proven industry experience in government contracting, Bradlink is branded as a trailblazer and innovator in providing technical solutions on transit, education and healthcare projects.
Callier says, “It’s truly a privilege to share my firm’s story, insights, and tips on obtaining government contracts with other small businesses. Texas is a great place to start and grow a small business and the sessions the HUB’s have attended place them in a strong position.”
Bradlink’s achievements have been marked by notable projects such as working as a Prime on the 2022 $2.44 billion AISD Bond Program, supporting key projects at Austin Bergstrom Airport, and serving as BIM Lead for the CMAR on the Houston Airport System Hobby International $470 million 7-gate Expansion project.
“We’re excited that our Leader has been invited again to speak during UT Austin’s IC2 Institute’s RTP last session and graduation this year. I believe Helen’s business insights will motivate members of the co-hort to execute their growth plans as there are lots of opportunities in Texas to pursue.” Moruf Jimoh, Technical Manager of Bradlink LLC
Bradlink’s President, Helen Callier, has been a driving force in the company’s success. In 2025, Bradlink received numerous industry awards including from the Greater Houston Business Procurement Forum, Tri-County Regional Black Chamber of Commerce and recognized by the Regional Hispanic Contractors Association. Also, in 2023, her influential expertise earned her a prominent spot on page 49 of the SBA Small Business National Resource Guide, showcasing her as a thought leader in the industry.
About Helen Callier
Helen Callier (AKA), B.S. Mechanical Engineering, Prairie View A&M University and graduate on the Goldmans Sachs 10KSB Program, is President of Bradlink LLC, a Technical Services firm and Founder of PermitUsNow, an industry recognized building permitting and expediting firm headquartered in Texas. Recognized as HBJ’s Women Who Mean Business, SBA Women Business Champion, former State of Texas Commissioner of Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and serving as an Advisory Board Tri-County Regional Black Chamber of Commerce. Helen is known as a point guard in the business community. She is a regular blogger for SubContractors USA News, a published author, dynamic speaker and a valuable contributor in the business community in Texas.
About Bradlink LLC
Bradlink LLC, with offices in Houston, Austin and Dallas, Texas, is a technical services firm, with over two decades of experience, provides program management, building design, permit expediting, construction oversight, and facilities support services primarily to government agencies. Clients of Bradlink include the Houston Airport System, JACOBS, Atkins Realis’, Hensel Phelps, Austin ISD, EXP US, and USACE.
Media Contact:
Len Cal
2813129981
[email protected]
SOURCE Bradlink LLC
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