Convicted Felon Who Opened Fire on Abilene Police Officers Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison

A previously convicted felon who opened fire on Abilene Police Department officers after leading them on a high speed chase was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison, announced United States Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Ryan Raybould.

Austin Tabor Heuermann, 32, of Abilene, Texas, was indicted by a federal grand jury in September 2025 for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Heuermann pled guilty to the charge in November 2025 and was sentenced to 180 months' imprisonment on March 6, 2026, by United States District Judge James Wesley Hendrix, who also ordered him to pay $4,019.26 in restitution.

Court records reflect that on August 13, 2025, around 3:40 p.m., Heuermann fled from Abilene Police officers who tried to stop him for a traffic violation and an outstanding state warrant. Heuermann ran through several stop signs and sped toward multiple active school zones. Given the high risk to public safety, officers stopped pursuing. Shortly thereafter, officers located Heuermann's empty vehicle hidden under a tarp.

According to information presented in court, officers tracked Heuermann to a home in another area of Abilene. Other occupants exited the home at the officers' direction, but Heuermann refused. Seconds after the last occupant exited, Heuermann shot through the house to the outside. Officers simultaneously observed debris from the wall immediately in front of them fly up into the air. Officers then retreated, and the Abilene Police Department's Special Weapons and Tactics ("SWAT") team arrived.

Court records show that Heuermann refused to surrender for hours, despite the presence of more than 10 SWAT members and negotiators at the home stationed in the armored SWAT Bearcat vehicle. Refusing to obey SWAT personnel commands to come out, Heuermann opened the front door twice. He first looked outside and shut the door. After opening the door again, Heuermann pointed a firearm and shot at the Bearcat, striking and partially shattering the Bearcat's windshield directly above the driver's head.

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. Heuermann admitted that he was a convicted felon and that he possessed and fired the firearm that day.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation's Abilene Resident Agency - Dallas Field Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives - Fort Worth, and the Abilene Police Department conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Schrauth prosecuted the case.