Two Austin cops involved in a 2019 shooting on the 360 bridge have been cleared. The Travis County District Attorney’s Office says a grand jury did not return an indictment for officers Hugh Butler and William Bertelson. They were forced to open fire on a Carlos Dodero, who caused a crash on the bridge and began attacking a woman with a knife. He fled into the woods and was later shot after refusing to drop his weapon.
Official statement:
District Attorney José Garza announced that a Travis County special grand jury has concluded its review of the April 29, 2019 shooting incident involving Carlos Dodero and Austin Police Department Officers Hugh Butler and William Bertelson. The Grand Jury did not return an indictment on either officer.
On April 29, 2019, there were many calls to 911 regarding an intentional vehicle collision on the southbound lanes of N. Capital of Texas Highway near the 360 Bridge (also known as the Pennybacker Bridge). As a result of the collision, the hit vehicle struck a female, sending her into the air. The female was able to get up and run towards other vehicles that were stopped in the roadway, away from the driver who initiated the collision. That driver was later identified, Carlos Dodero. After the collision, Mr. Dodero exited his vehicle and grabbed the female victim in a bear-hug style and began to drag her away from the vehicles she sought protection from. It was at this point eyewitnesses grabbed Mr. Dodero and were able to take him to the ground, along with the female victim. Mr. Dodero was held there in place, until he was allowed up, at which point he fled the scene, crossing the 360 Bridge southbound on foot and disappearing into a heavily wooded area located southwest of the bridge.
As officers with the Austin Police Department began to arrive to this scene, along with other first responders, both Officers William Bertelson and Hugh Butler (then accompanied by his law enforcement service dog) responded. Together, they were assigned to attempt to locate Mr. Dodero in the wooded area in which he was last seen running. They then began to enter the brush with Officer Butler reading his canine for any signal that would indicate the suspect’s location, and Officer Bertelson providing cover for Officer Butler. Soon thereafter, the canine alerted, and Officer Butler could see Mr. Dodero approximately 15-20 yards further into the brush, partly obstructed by the trees and hunched over in a crouched down position. Commands were given to Mr. Dodero to show his hands. Mr. Dodero did not show his hands, but instead responded saying don’t move, don’t move, I’ll shoot you, I’ll shoot you, don’t move, I have a gun, I will shoot you. Additional commands were given for Mr. Dodero to show his hands and to drop the weapon, as Mr. Dodero was still obstructed by the brush. Mr. Dodero then suddenly extended his arm straight outward towards the officers. Fearing for their safety both Officers Bertelson and Butler fired their weapons at Mr. Dodero, striking him multiple times. Mr. Dodero subsequently succumbed from the injuries sustained. No firearm was recovered from Mr. Dodero.
“The District Attorney’s office takes the work of presenting all facts and evidence to a grand jury very seriously,” said District Attorney Garza. “In this case, an independent group of members of the Travis County community, heard the evidence and law and decided that the conduct of Officer Butler and Officer Bertelson was lawful.”
