Aaron Armstrong, a deputy with the Caldwell County Precinct 3 Constable’s Office who had also served with the Smithville Police Department, was killed in Austin on January 4, 2026, while working an off-duty private security detail at Club Rodeo on North Lamar Boulevard. A confrontation continued in the parking lot, and Vences fled on foot after being verbally and physically resistant. When Armstrong moved to arrest him, Vences produced a handgun and shot the deputy.

As Armstrong lay wounded, a second man, 22-year-old Rolando Colindres Simon, allegedly ran over Armstrong’s extremity with a vehicle while fleeing the scene. Armstrong was taken to a local hospital and pronounced deceased at 6:39 a.m. Both suspects were arrested: Vences was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and charged with capital murder of a peace officer, with bond set at $2 million; Colindres Simon was charged with assault on a peace officer, with bond set at $100,000. Vences told investigators he thought Armstrong was a security guard who had assaulted him inside the club and said he did not recall hearing Armstrong identify himself as an officer.

Anyone who witnessed the disturbance in the club or the parking lot, or who has information about the incident, is asked to come forward.