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.”
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas is expanding its response to severe flooding as state leaders warn another round of heavy rain could bring more dangerous conditions to parts of Central and South Texas.
During a Thursday briefing at the State Operations Center, Gov. Greg Abbott said protecting lives remains the state’s top priority as life-threatening flooding continues.
“Once again, life-threatening catastrophic flooding remains our main risk tonight and overnight through the early morning hours,” Abbott said.
Abbott said 59 counties remain under a flood watch, with Uvalde and Johnson City among the communities facing the greatest risk over the next 24 hours. He also warned that record river levels are expected in several locations, including along the Nueces River near Uvalde.
The state has expanded its emergency response since Wednesday, with about 2,350 emergency responders now deployed along with more than 1,400 vehicles and pieces of equipment, including more than 85 boats, 21 aircraft, and more than 200 high-profile vehicles.
Abbott said those crews have completed more than 230 water rescues.
RELATED| Two deaths reported in Texas Hill Country floods, Abbott confirms
KEYE
Chief Nim Kidd, who leads the Texas Division of Emergency Management, said National Weather Service meteorologists are forecasting more rain over already saturated areas.
“Meteorologists from the National Weather Service tell us an additional 10 to 15 inches of rain is possible over already wet areas,” Kidd said.
Kidd said some communities in the Uvalde area remain cut off because of flooding. The state has half a million meals ready to eat and one million bottles of water prepared for delivery by high-profile vehicles or military aircraft.
The Texas Department of Transportation said 125 roadway sections across the state had been impacted by floodwaters as of Thursday afternoon, with 87 remaining closed. Officials warned that even after floodwaters recede, roads and bridges may still be unsafe because of hidden damage.
Abbott also confirmed two flood-related deaths. One victim was a man who was swept away in an RV near Comfort. The second was a 75-year-old man who was swept away while driving in Uvalde.
During the briefing, CBS Austin asked the governor when the state’s focus would begin shifting from rescue operations to recovery.
“The most important thing we can do right now during the immediacy of all the rain coming down is doing everything we can to protect human life,” Abbott said. “But that said people can begin the process maybe as early as tomorrow to go through damage assessment.”
Abbott urged Texans to continue avoiding flooded roadways as the threat continues.
“Together, all of us Texans can be diligent over the next 24 hours to make sure we avoid rising water or heading into water on roadways,” he said.
Austin, TX
More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says – WTOP News
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in…
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — More dangerous Texas floods expected after at least 2 killed and hundreds of people rescued in high water, governor says.
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
KERRVILLE, Texas (KXAN) — The City of Kerrville issued a shelter-in-place Thursday morning, with heavy rain causing reported evacuations early Thursday morning. A Flash Flood Warning is currently in place for Kerr County as the Guadalupe River continues to rise.
Around 5:30 a.m., the National Weather Service said a “large and deadly flood wave is moving down” the Guadalupe River.
KXAN First Warning Weather Meteorologist Kristen Currie said approximately 11 inches of rain have fallen northwest of Kerr County since 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The Guadalupe River is expected to reach major flood stage in multiple areas.
Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter said “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.” Officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.
Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:
- Goat Creek
- Arcadia Loop
- Lowery/Guadalupe area
- Junction Highway low-water crossings
- Other low-lying neighborhoods
Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.
Here are the latest headlines:
Live updates
7:03 a.m.: KXAN’s Kevin Baskar is in Gillespie County providing updates on the latest flood conditions in the area. Watch his update below.
6:37 a.m.: Kerr County officials emphasized not to drive through flooded streets and to turn around if water covers the roadway.
Evacuations were underway in multiple areas, according to the county, including:
- Goat Creek
- Arcadia Loop
- Lowery/Guadalupe area
- Junction Highway low-water crossings
- Other low-lying neighborhoods
Emergency shelters are open at Impact Church (Goat Creek evacuation point), Calvary Temple Church and City West Church for people in West Kerr County, the county said.
6:27 a.m.: Video shows emergency crews hauling boats and rescue equipment through Kerrville.
6:15 a.m. NewsNation correspondent Xavier Walton and his photographer captured a structure being swept up in river water and crashing into a Kerrville bridge. The structure appears to be some sort of shipping container, pushing against the bridge.
Watch the video below:
6:08 a.m.: Kerr County PIO Lisa Walter confirms “there have been multiple swift water rescues and evacuations.”
6:02 a.m.: The Guadalupe River at Center Point is expected to crest at 35 feet, which is the same crest as July 4, 2025.
5:57 a.m.: The National Weather Service said “a large deadly flood wave” is moving down the Guadalupe River.
5:49 a.m.: The Comfort Volunteer Fire Department said it has units in Kerrville and Centerpoint alerting people along the Guadalupe River. They’re helping Kerr County with evacuations along Highway 27 between Comfort and Centerpoint. They said all VFD personnel are OK.
5:30 a.m.: The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said in a Facebook post that it’s received reports of “street flooding in Ingram, and it’s likely many roads and city streets are flooded as well.”
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