Crime & Safety
Cedar Park Officer Shot In Standoff Remains Hospitalized
8-year veteran Nik Anderson remains in stable condition 2 days after being shot as the close-knit community launch financial drives to help.
CEDAR PARK, TX — One of the three Cedar Park officers shot during a weekend standoff with a resident remained hospitalized on Tuesday as the community rallies to support the law enforcement victims.
Nik Anderson, an eight-year veteran with the Cedar Park Police Department, remains in stable condition at a hospital two days after being shot, a police spokesperson wrote in an email. "Surgery went well," police department spokesperson Alicia Inns wrote. "We may not get an update on when he will be able to go home until tomorrow."
The two other officers who were shot in an exchange of some 50 rounds of gunfire on Sunday at a home along Natalia Cove were treated and quickly released in the immediate aftermath of the standoff. They previously were identified as Jacqueline Quiles, who has been on the local police force for four years, and Cris Hester, a 10-year veteran with the local police department.
Find out what's happening in Cedar Park-Leanderfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Previous coverage:
- Cedar Park Hostage Situation Ends; 1 Officer Remains Hospitalized
- Cedar Park Standoff Suspect, Injured Officers Identified
The officers' injuries stem from an incident that occurred at around 3:10 p.m. Sunday when they were dispatched to a home at 2304 Natalie Cove after a woman called police to report her son had kicked in the door while acting aggressively. Arriving officers entered the home before being caught in gunfire, prompting them to return fire as they exited the house.
Find out what's happening in Cedar Park-Leanderfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The suspect, identified as Joseph DeSean Taylor, 26, barricaded himself in the home while taking three family members hostage before surrendering peacefully after about 16 hours, police said at the time. After being transported to the hospital for unspecified medical treatment, Taylor was booked into the Williamson County Jail after being charged with three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon on a public servant and three counts of aggravated kidnapping, according to jail records.
As the officers continue to recover, local clubs have launched fundraising efforts to help defray medical costs and related expenses. Inns pointed to a handful of fundraising efforts launched to benefit the injured officers:
- The 100 Club of Central Texas has launched a fund for Anderson, the most seriously injured officer among the three. "Your support is essential in helping The Club stand ready for those who stand ready for you," club officials wrote on a 100 Club of Central Texas portal. Donations can be made at the website or mailed to the club's Austin office located at 3200 Steck Ave. Suite 240, Austin, TX 78757.
- The Cedar Park Citizen's Police Academy Alumni Association also has launched a fundraiser through GoFundMe. At last check, the drive had raised $3,200 from among more than 40 donors of a $3,000 goal. "Your contribution will assist them and their families in any assistance they may need while the officers are recovering," organizer Linda McKinsey wrote. "All funds will go directly to the officers involved in the incident."
- A second GoFundMe drive titled the Cedar Park Heroes Recovery Fund has raised $1,120 of a $30,000 goal as of Tuesday evening.
Editor's note: GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.