Windows damaged in shooting spree replaced
Eduardo Zamora works on replacing windows at Austin Police Department Headquarters in downtown Austin on Monday. Almost a year ago, Larry Steven McQuilliams fired at the front of the building, hitting the windows. He also fired at the federal courthouse and the Mexican Consulate downtown before being shot dead by an Austin police officer.
Nearly a year after a gunman’s shooting rampage in downtown Austin damaged the Police Department’s headquarters, the plywood planks still covering the windows and the bullet holes pockmarking several walls will finally be gone.
Last week, Houston construction company KBR began work on the $130,819.39 contract to make the repairs. They are expected to be completed Nov. 20.
“APD did not anticipate that it would take this long,” a police spokeswoman said in an email.
For months, the broken windows served as a reminder of the Black Friday shooting, when, in the early hours of Nov. 28, 2014, Larry McQuilliams opened fired on the Mexican Consulate, the U.S. Federal Courthouse and the Austin Police Department’s headquarters.
McQuilliams fired about 200 rounds from his automatic rifle at the front facade of the building, situated at the intersection of Eighth Street and the southbound Interstate 35 frontage road, leaving divots in the brown brick walls and damaging 43 windows.
The shooting spree ended when mounted police Sgt. Adam Johnson fired a single shot that hit and killed McQuilliams.
Insurance company VRS Vericlaim agreed to cover the full cost of the repairs.
However, replacing windows made in the 1980s was a challenge. An architectural firm was tasked with creating designs for the windows, which no longer are mass-produced.
Asbestos also was discovered in the window frames and had to be removed before any repairs were made.
Due to the repairs, the lobby and front plaza of the building will be closed until Friday.
Here’s how to get in touch with some of the units at the Austin Police Department headquarters in the meantime:
APD Alarm customers can access the payment desk by calling 512974-5061 to enter the building through the alternate access gate on Eighth Street.
All persons who have appointments with the Sex Offender Apprehension and Registration unit will need to meet their officer/detective by the side gate on Eighth Street at their scheduled appointment time. Anyone with other questions related to SOAR can call 512-974-5068.
Police report sales will accept requests by phone from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 512-974-5407 or 512-974-5408.