Abilene, TX — A previously convicted felon who fired shots at Abilene police officers after leading them on a high-speed chase has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison.
Austin Tabor Heuermann, 32, of Abilene, pleaded guilty in November 2025 to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On March 6, 2026, U.S. District Judge James Wesley Hendrix sentenced Heuermann to 180 months in federal prison and ordered him to pay $4,019.26 in restitution.
According to court records, the incident began on August 13, 2025, around 3:40 p.m. when Abilene Police officers attempted to stop Heuermann for a traffic violation and an outstanding state warrant.
Authorities said Heuermann fled, running multiple stop signs and speeding through several active school zones. Because of the danger to the public, officers discontinued the pursuit.
A short time later, officers located Heuermann’s vehicle hidden under a tarp.
Investigators tracked Heuermann to a residence in another part of Abilene. Officers ordered the occupants of the home to exit safely, but Heuermann refused to surrender.
According to information presented in court, shortly after the last occupant exited the home, Heuermann fired shots through the house toward officers outside. Officers observed debris from the wall fly into the air directly in front of them.
Police retreated from the immediate area and called in the Abilene Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team.
Court documents show Heuermann refused to surrender for several hours despite negotiators and more than ten SWAT officers surrounding the residence with an armored Bearcat vehicle.
At one point, Heuermann opened the front door, looked outside and shut it again. When he opened the door a second time, he pointed a firearm and fired at the Bearcat.
The bullet struck and partially shattered the armored vehicle’s windshield directly above the driver’s position.
After eventually surrendering, officers entered the residence and recovered a stolen gray Century Arms Canik 9mm pistol along with spent shell casings on the floor.
Investigators said Heuermann admitted he was a convicted felon and acknowledged possessing and firing the weapon.
The investigation was conducted by the FBI’s Abilene Resident Agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Fort Worth and the Abilene Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jennifer Schrauth prosecuted the case.
