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Robert Bruce Richart

Age : 56

Gender : Male

Race : White

Date : 10/27/2021

Location : 10610 Pinkney Lane

City : Austin

County : Travis

State : Texas

Agency : Austin Police Department

Officer(s) :Eric Strnad

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during burning-house SWAT barricade

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

On 10/27/2021, Austin police accompanied city code-enforcement personnel to Robert Bruce Richart's home at 10610 Pinkney Lane to execute a nuisance-abatement warrant concerning an overgrown yard. After attempts to contact Richart were unsuccessful, city personnel began cutting the grass.
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At approximately 10:21 a.m., police said Richart fired from inside the house toward city personnel and police. Workers were evacuated and APD SWAT, crisis negotiators and mental-health personnel responded. The barricade continued for several hours.
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At approximately 3:19 p.m., police said Richart fired repeatedly toward SWAT officers positioned behind the residence. Police sent a robot through the front door and its camera showed a rapidly spreading fire inside the house. Officers continued ordering Richart to leave as the residence became engulfed in flames.
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At approximately 3:39 p.m., Richart emerged through the garage carrying a rifle and handgun. SWAT Officer Eric Strnad fired six times, striking Richart. Officers moved Richart away from the burning residence and provided medical aid. Richart died from the gunshot injuries.
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A Travis County grand jury subsequently reviewed Strnad's use of deadly force and returned no indictment. The available reporting does not establish the cause of the house fire.
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OFFICER BACKGROUND:
Eric Strnad was an Austin Police Department SWAT officer with approximately eight years and seven months of service at the time of the shooting. A Travis County grand jury later declined to indict him.
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SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.fox7austin.com/news/police-identify-man-shot-and-killed-following-swat-situation-fire
https://www.fox7austin.com/news/travis-county-grand-jury-clears-austin-police-officer-in-use-of-force-case
https://www.ksat.com/news/local/2021/10/29/austin-man-shot-killed-by-police-after-citys-attempt-to-cut-his-grass-turns-to-standoff-house-fire-fatal-shooting/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/10/29/overgrown-lawn-police-shooting/