AUSTIN (KXAN) — Friday marks the first full work week of the new CapMetro Transit Police Department.
After a swearing-in ceremony two weeks ago, eligible officers in the first 12-person class began patrols on Monday, June 16, according to CapMetro. The rest of the officers will hit the streets once they finish their training.
About a month before these officers hit the streets, Akshay Gupta, a health-tech entrepreneur here on an extraordinary visa from India, was stabbed and killed – at random – on a CapMetro bus at Barton Springs and South Lamar.
Police told KXAN the suspect, Deepak Kandel, was having a mental health episode and is a person experiencing homelessness in Austin.
“Akshay was an achiever. An extraordinary talented person. Even since his childhood, he was exceptional,” his brother Ankur said. “He would always leave an impression. His personality was totally outstanding. He was a true friend. He was a giver.”
Gupta’s family is now left with questions, wondering about bus safety, mental health prosecution, and the investigatory process.
“It just doesn’t make sense,” said Ankur.
KXAN asked Ankur as well as Garv Jasuja, Gupta’s roommate and best friend, their thoughts on the transit police force.
While Jasuja noted this as a positive step forward, “if the number of buses in Austin is in the hundreds, I’m not sure what three or so officers can do.”
As far as how exactly CapMetro will execute its patrols, the department said it’s still figuring some operational details out.