Texas Police Chief: Deputy Constable Working Security 'Executed' by Suspect
What to know
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Caldwell County Deputy Constable Aaron Armstrong was fatally shot while working security at a north Austin nightclub, and a suspect has been charged with capital murder.
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Investigators say the accused knew the victim was a peace officer and allegedly shot him during an attempted arrest following a disturbance.
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A second suspect faces an assault charge after allegedly striking the deputy with a vehicle, and the case remains under prosecutorial review.
A Texas deputy constable who was shot and killed early Sunday while working security outside a nightclub was "executed" in the incident, according to the police chief of the department investigating the homicide.
Thomas Vences was arrested by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and is accused in the death of Caldwell County Deputy Constable Aaron Armstrong, KEYE-TV reports. Austin Police Sgt. Jeff Bauzon said Vences later admitted his involvement in the shooting.
According to police, Armstrong was working security at Austin's Club Rodeo just after 2 a.m. when the shooting occurred. Investigators said Armstrong was shot trying to arrest Vences after an earlier altercation inside the club.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Vences knew Armstrong was a law enforcement officer at the time of the shooting. She described the incident as a deliberate attack on a peace officer during a Monday news conference.
"He was executed by this man who knew he was a cop, knew he was a police officer, and he did it," she said.
Police said body-worn camera footage shows Armstrong escorting Vences out of the club just before 2 a.m. following a disturbance. Bauzon said Armstrong tried to de-escalate the situation despite alleged threats made by Vences.
When Armstrong later encountered Vences in the parking lot and tried to take him into custody, multiple individuals interfered before shots were fired. Police said Armstrong returned fire before collapsing, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead shortly after 6:30 a.m.
A second suspect, Ronaldo Calindres-Simon, 22, was charged with assault on a peace officer after investigators said he struck Armstrong with a vehicle while fleeing the scene.
Authorities said Vences has prior convictions that include burglary, assault and narcotics-related offenses. Armstrong had worked off-duty security at the location for several years. The shooting marks Austin’s third homicide of 2026.