Texas police said a SWAT officer and a gunman were killed in a shootout early Saturday as authorities were trying to address a hostage situation in Austin.

Interim Police Chief Robin Henderson said Senior Police Officer Jorge Pastore was mortally wounded around 4:15 a.m. Saturday, when a SWAT team breached a barricaded home in the southern part of the capital city.

“My heart is heavy today,” Chief Henderson said in a statement. “Please help me and our APD family pay tribute to SPO Jorge Pastore for his brave & heroic actions.”

The chief said the suspect, who wasn’t identified, also died in the shootout.

Another SWAT officer was wounded in the exchange and is in stable condition, police said. 

Two hostages were found dead in the home after the armed suspect was killed. Police didn’t identify the hostages or say what caused their deaths.

Chief Henderson said police were originally contacted around 2:45 a.m. by a woman who fled from the home after being stabbed.

Responding officers tried to enter the home shortly after 3 a.m., but the suspect opened fire on the officers and forced them to retreat.

SWAT teams arrived about an hour later and made the breach attempt. 

Officer Pastore is the first Austin police officer killed in the line of duty since 2012.

• Matt Delaney can be reached at mdelaney@washingtontimes.com.