HEB fatal shooting: Man killed by security guard identified

AUSTIN, Texas – No charges have been filed so far in connection with the fatal H-E-B shooting in North Austin, but police are releasing more information about what led to the shooting.

Austin police identified the person who died as Michael Rosario Jr., 32.

APD says it started with a shoplifting incident.

“I went to the grocery store just before 4 p.m. to do some shopping, I was waiting in line at the self-checkout and I heard what I immediately recognized as gunshots,” an anonymous witness reported.

APD responded to reports of a shooting at HEB on Canyon Ridge Drive on Friday, September 27. It was initially reported to be an active shooter, but was later determined not to be the case.

The caller told APD that the man was shoplifting and then attacked a security guard with a knife.

According to APD, an investigation revealed that the security guard tried to get Rosario to leave the store. Rosario then pulled out a knife and armed himself with a hubcap as a shield.

“It was a very surreal moment. Some were hit on the ground. Some escaped. Some stood where they stood,” the witness said.

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When the Taser proved ineffective, Rosario attacked the security guard, prompting him to fire at Rosario.

Rosario was taken to a local hospital but later died from her injuries.

The security expert FOX 7 Austin spoke with says if a person approaches an officer with an edged weapon, they have the legal authority to use deadly force.

“If their life is at risk or a person’s life is at risk from bodily injury, injury or death, they have the right to use force up to lethal force to protect their property or to protect those individuals,” said Michael Matranga, CEO of the consulting firm. safety in Texas.

Days later, the community is still reeling from the shooting.

“The fact that this person is already dead and that this happened in my community and in my supermarket,” the witness said.

On Monday, HEB confirmed to FOX 7 that the shots were fired by an outside security officer, not an HEB employee.

APD told us the two did not know each other.

At this time, we are not identifying the shooter because he has not been charged.