Community members gathered at a northeast Austin park Saturday to honor a 17-year-old killed by police, calling for answers as the investigation continues.

AUSTIN, Texas — Community members gathered Saturday evening at a northeast Austin playground where a 17-year-old was shot and killed by Austin police a day earlier, calling for transparency as the investigation continues.

The vigil and speak-out, organized by several local groups, brought together activists, community leaders and residents from across the Austin area to honor the teen’s life while demanding answers about the shooting.



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“We started a movement called ‘Enough is Enough.’ We are taking a lot of resources, orgs, and community members and leaders, and just regular people who want to get active to create one voice, and one sound voice,” activist Cluren Williams said.

Austin police said officers responded Friday morning to a report of someone who may have had a weapon. After the shooting, investigators said they found a water bottle – not a gun – tucked into the teen’s waistband.

Police also said the 17-year-old called 911 himself, leading investigators to believe the incident may have been a case of what they described as “suicide by police.”

“My main question is: Why don’t they have more resources out here for kids his age?” one attendee said during the vigil.

Many who attended said they want to see more mental health resources available for young people, and are seeking answers as the investigation moves forward.

“People are angry,” activist David T. said. “People understand there needs to be something done.”

In a statement on Facebook, Austin City Councilmember for District 3 José Velásquez said, “every family deserves answers,” adding that his office will work with the Office of Police Oversight and the Austin Police Department to help ensure the community receives “transparency, answers, and accountability.”

As the vigil came to a close, attendees continued to remember the 17-year-old, whose name has not yet been released.

“We were here to hold some concern as people, and humans, just out of love,” Williams said. “And even though we don’t know the young man’s name, still now, we are here bringing awareness about the situation.”

KVUE reached out to the Austin Police Department on Saturday to ask whether there had been any new developments in the investigation. As of publication, the department had not provided any additional information.