The incident began at 11:30 last night, as officers received a 911 call regarding shots that had rung out in the darkness engulfing Braker Lane and Metric Boulevard in North Austin.
Police then stopped a car that was driving erratically on Parmer Lane. Inside they found two young brothers, one of whom was behind the wheel and the other of whom was busy bleeding copiously from a potentially fatal knife wound. The brothers explained that they were fleeing a house in the 11400 block of Ptarmigan Drive, where they had become embroiled in an argument. When words failed to soothe tensions, their interlocutors had sought to resolve the conflict first with blades and then with bullets.
Police traveled to the house in question. The brothers' story checked out: spent shell casings were lying on the ground. At 2AM, believing that the individuals bearing arms were still inside, the police summoned a SWAT team to the scene.
The inhabitants of the neighboring homes were roused from their slumber and driven into the deep, dark December night- for their own safety, of course. With the area thus evacuated and the location secured, the SWAT team prepared for a potentially deadly confrontation. And so they waited.
And waited.
And waited.
Finally, at 6AM the SWAT team grew tired of waiting and penetrated the house. Inside they found some dogs: six Pitbulls to be precise. And some weapons. But the owners of the hounds and the weapons had long since vanished.
Were the members of the SWAT team disappointed, or pleased? After all, they are trained for these moments, and it is only natural for a man to desire opportunities to exercise his gift. What good is a pianist who does not play, after all? The irony for a trained SWAT officer is that it is far better for all of us if he is not required to practice his skills.
And so the SWAT team went home. The story is not finished however: police are investigating last night's violence, and intend to track down the stabbers, the shooters, the owners of the snarling hounds.
And as for what will become of those poor beasts, abandoned to the night and a heavily armed squad of police by their callous masters, well- there is no information.
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