Travis County Grand Jury Clears Officers Carnley and Tatum in Use of Force Case

Travis County, Tx — Today, Travis County District Attorney José Garza announced that on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, a Travis County Special Grand Jury had concluded its review of the July 13, 2022, shooting incident involving Leander PD Officer John Carnley # 846 and Georgetown PD Officer Thomas Tatum #42, and did not return an indictment for the officers.

On June 13, 2022, Central Texas Regional SWAT team members, including Officers Carnley and Tatum, executed a search warrant for Room 227 of the InTown Suites located at 9909 N. Lamar Blvd. in Austin, TX.

While attempting to execute the warrant, officers encountered multiple subjects inside Room 227, including Mr. Michael Crater. Mr. Crater failed to comply with multiple commands from officers before pointing a handgun in the direction of officers. In response, Officer Carnley discharged his firearm, striking Mr. Crater multiple times.

Officer Tatum also impacted Mr. Crater with a less-lethal munition. Officers attempted life-saving measures; however, Mr. Crater succumbed to his injuries.

“The District Attorney’s office takes the work of presenting all facts and evidence to a grand jury very seriously,” said District Attorney Garza. “In this case, an independent group of members of the Travis County community heard the evidence and law and decided that Officer Carnley’s and Tatum’s conduct was not unlawful.”

Since January 1, 2021, 76 number of cases against police officers have been presented to the grand jury, and including this one, 45 number of times, the grand jury has returned a no true bill.

###