Austin Police Arrest Kamren Lemon, a Black Man, for Domestic Violence

Austin, TX - Austin Police Department have arrested a Black man, Kamren Cordell Lemon (31), for a so-called "disturbance" that prompted a SWAT response.

"A physical disturbance between a man and a woman..."

is how Sgt. Lee Knouse described the incident, downplaying the violent reality of domestic abuse, and overlooking the fact that such language perpetuates harmful stereotypes of Black men as violent.

Police were called to the scene at 12:11 p.m. on Sunday, arriving to find that the suspect had fled, and the female victim required medical attention for injuries consistent with strangulation.

The victim, a woman of color, endured not only physical violence but also the trauma of having her agency and story dismissed by the very authorities meant to protect her.

By 5:47 p.m., a second 911 call was made, with witnesses reporting the man had returned and was armed. It is unclear why witnesses felt the need to arm themselves - the true danger here is the systemic racism and misogyny that allowed this incident to occur, and the response it provoked.

A SWAT team was called in at 7 p.m., and a three-hour standoff ensued, ending in Lemon's arrest at 10:36 p.m.. During this time, it is unknown if the victim received the support and assistance she needed, or if she was further traumatized by an aggressive police presence.

Kamren Lemon now faces charges of impeding breathing or circulation/domestic violence and is being held at Travis County Jail.

This incident highlights the urgent need for police reform and a fundamental shift in how we address domestic violence and abuse. We must challenge the systemic issues at play and offer support and healing to survivors, not further traumatize them with militarized responses.

#SayHerName #BelieveWomen