Austin SWAT Raid

On August 6, 2023, a SWAT team from the Austin Police Department conducted a welfare check that turned violent, when an officer was shot and injured. Mistaking where the gunfire came from, the SWAT team then raided the home across the street, blowing the door off the hinges, rupturing a gas line and causing $23,000 worth of damage. The also detained the innocent homeowners, Glen and Mindy Shield for three hours. 

When the Shields sought compensation for the destruction of their property, city officials claimed they were immune from paying. As is often the case, the city argued actions taken under the “police powers” were exempt from the requirement that the government pay just compensation when it destroys people’s property.  

But there is no “police powers” exemption, which is why IJ submitted a letter to city officials demanding they compensate the Shields.