For Immediate Release
December 1, 2010

Travis County District Attorney Rosemary Lehmberg announced today that a Travis County Grand Jury issued a no bill of indictment for Austin Police Officer Javier Bustos after hearing evidence regarding an incident that occurred in the early morning hours of September 25, 2010. Pat Allen Faith took his own life after being shot in the shoulder by Corporal Bustos, following a high speed pursuit around the city.

The incident began when Faith’s girlfriend called 911 requesting help because Faith was threatening suicide in the couple’s east Austin home. After officers arrived at the home, Faith appeared on the porch with two handguns. He then went back into the house and officers heard shots being fired inside.

While officers were waiting for back-up, Faith suddenly fled the scene in his girlfriend’s sports car. Officers gave chase for close to 45 minutes. The pursuit went from near Highway 71 to Mopac, then north to Highway 183, then south to Ben White Boulevard, heading west toward IH 35. Officers estimated that Faith was at times driving at speeds in excess of 130 mph.

At this point Faith stopped the car and got out holding two weapons. He would not respond to pleas from the police to put down the weapons and give himself up. Faith fired several shots in the air and then got back into the vehicle and drove a short distance to a crossover, where he drove into the oncoming east bound traffic on Ben White Blvd. A truck with two men inside stopped short of hitting Faith head on. Faith emerged from his vehicle and approached the two men with his gun pointed at them.

At this time, Corporal Javier Bustos, an eleven year veteran of the Austin Police Dept. fired one shot, hitting Faith in the back of the shoulder. Faith fell to the ground near his vehicle and the truck and then shot himself.

The Travis County Medical Examiner ruled that Faith’s death was a suicide.

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