AUSTIN, Texas — A Caldwell County deputy was fatally shot while working security at a nightclub early Sunday morning, according to the Austin Police Department.
The suspect, 38-year-old Thomas Vences, of Austin, Texas, has been charged with capital murder of a peace officer.
On January 4, 2026, at approximately 2:08 a.m., Austin Police officers responded to a call at 9515 N. Lamar Blvd. regarding a shooting incident. Deputy Aaron Armstrong, a white male born on July 6, 1974, was found with severe injuries and later pronounced dead at a local hospital at 6:39 a.m., according to the Austin Police Department.
The investigation revealed that Deputy Armstrong was working security at Club Rodeo when he attempted to deescalate a disturbance involving Vences, who was resistant to arrest.
Despite identifying himself as a police officer, Armstrong was shot by Vences in the nightclub parking lot. Following the shooting, Vences fled the scene, and his acquaintance, 22-year-old Rolando Colindres Simon, of Austin, Texas, drove away, running over Armstrong’s extremity in the process, stated the source.
Vences was later apprehended by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. He faces charges of capital murder of a peace officer, while Colindres Simon has been charged with assault on a peace officer.
The Austin Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact them at 512-974-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest. This case marks Austin’s second homicide of 2026.