Franklin Earl Miller Obituary, Death; – The Austin Police Department has released additional information regarding the shooting that occurred on September 10 in north Austin, including the identity of the individual who was shot by officers, as stated in a news release issued on Monday.
The individual has been identified as 59-year-old Franklin Earl Miller, according to police reports. At approximately 10:59 p.m., a call was made to Austin 911 reporting a man, later identified as Miller, who was allegedly “attempting to break into their business and pulling on the doors” at 1724 West Anderson Lane.
The caller informed dispatch that they were monitoring the situation via cameras and observed “Miller holding a rock.” Furthermore, the caller indicated that Miller seemed to have a “gun in his waistband.” Officers arrived at the scene around 11:11 p.m. and encountered Miller, who was reportedly “non-compliant with the officers’ directions.”
The officers on the scene engaged in “de-escalation efforts” with Miller. At one point, he was observed “gripping a pistol in his hands,” and officers repeatedly instructed him to “put down his firearm,” but he remained “non-compliant,” as per police accounts.
Approximately 14 minutes after attempts to gain Miller’s compliance, police reported that “he raised the gun he was holding in the direction of officers” at around 11:25 p.m. In response, officers discharged their department-approved firearms at Miller and immediately initiated life-saving measures, according to the release.
Austin-Travis County EMS arrived at the scene around 11:30 p.m. and pronounced Miller dead at 11:33 p.m., as reported by police.
In total, five officers discharged their department-approved firearms, with their tenure at the department ranging from four months to six and a half years. Additionally, a sixth officer “deployed his department-issued pepperball launcher at the same time shots were fired,” having served four months with the department, according to police.
The Austin Police Department will conduct two simultaneous investigations into this incident: a criminal investigation led by the APD.
