A man from Abilene, Texas, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after firing at police officers during a high-speed chase and standoff. The announcement was made by United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.
Austin Tabor Heuermann, 32, was indicted in September 2025 for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to the charge in November 2025. On March 6, 2026, United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix sentenced him to 180 months in prison and ordered him to pay $4,019.26 in restitution.
According to court records, on August 13, 2025, around 3:40 p.m., Abilene Police attempted to stop Heuermann for a traffic violation and an outstanding state warrant. He fled from officers, running through several stop signs and speeding near active school zones. Due to public safety concerns, officers ended their pursuit but later found his empty vehicle hidden under a tarp.
Officers tracked Heuermann to another home in Abilene. While other occupants left the house as directed by police, Heuermann remained inside. Seconds after the last person exited, “Heuermann shot through the house to the outside,” according to information presented in court. Officers saw debris from the wall fly into the air and retreated while SWAT was called.
Court documents indicate that more than ten SWAT members and negotiators responded with an armored Bearcat vehicle. Despite repeated commands from SWAT personnel to surrender, “Heuermann opened the front door twice.” On his second attempt he “pointed a firearm and shot at the Bearcat, striking and partially shattering the Bearcat’s windshield directly above the driver’s head.”
After hours of refusing to surrender, Heuermann eventually gave up. According to plea documents: “after Heuermann surrendered, officers entered the home and recovered a stolen grey Century Arms, Canik 9mm pistol with spent shell casings on the floor.” He admitted he was a convicted felon who possessed and fired the weapon that day.
The investigation involved agents from multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Abilene Resident Agency – Dallas Field Office; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives – Fort Worth; and Abilene Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Schrauth prosecuted this case.
