Austin Police Chief Promises Review After Officer Convicted in Fatal Shooting

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis and top officials have initiated an urgent review to prevent future incidents similar to the one that led to Officer Christopher Taylor's conviction in the shooting death of a mentally ill man armed with a knife, according to an internal memo.

Davis stated in a department-wide email, "This decision deeply affects all of us. It is unsettling, and it raises questions that must be addressed by APD leadership. We must ensure that all APD officers feel confident and prepared to encounter unpredictable and dangerous situations."

"Together, we will develop a strategic plan to address this verdict," she added. "We value your input, and it will help direct us as we take action to prevent similar tragedies in the future."

Davis, who joined the department about four weeks ago from the Cincinnati Police Department, has not yet been officially sworn in. She takes the helm of a department that has never seen one of its officers convicted for an on-duty fatal shooting.

On Saturday, a Travis County jury found Taylor guilty of deadly conduct in the death of Mauris DeSilva, a Sri Lankan researcher and scientist with a history of mental health issues. When officers arrived at DeSilva's downtown condo building and took an elevator to a communal floor to confront him, the doors opened, and officers instantly yelled commands. DeSilva moved toward them with a knife, prompting police to shoot.

Taylor faces up to 10 years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.

Davis encouraged officers in her email, "Take care of yourself and each other. I know that our department has been through so much in the last several years. As we address [the] verdict, we will do so together."