Cedar Park Police Fatally Shoot Stabbing Suspect After Karaoke Bar Incident
Location & Incident Overview
In Cedar Park, Texas, on Sunday, November 2, 2025, a serious incident unfolded at a karaoke bar located on South Lakeline Boulevard. Police from the Cedar Park Police Department (CPPD) responded to reports of a stabbing around 9:55 p.m. and later engaged in an officer-involved shooting that left a 24-year-old man deceased.
Victims & Individuals Involved
- The deceased suspect has been identified as Jacob Allen, age 24, of Cedar Park.
- The stabbing victim has been identified as Justin Dearing, age 40, of Leander, Texas. He sustained multiple stab wounds and was taken to a local hospital in stable condition.
- Two CPPD officers were involved in the shooting: Erik Detlefsen (a 22-year veteran) and Ryan Zander (a 9-year veteran). Both officers have been placed on administrative leave pending investigation.
Sequence of Events
According to police statements, the incident began when officers were dispatched to reports of a stabbing at approximately 9:55 p.m. The venue was on the 1800 block of South Lakeline Boulevard.
When officers arrived, they found Justin Dearing suffering from multiple stab wounds. Paramedics provided emergency treatment before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was listed in stable condition.
The alleged attacker, Jacob Allen, had fled the scene on a motorcycle before officers arrived. Police quickly issued an alert, and responding units located him traveling along Lakeline Boulevard a short distance away from the bar.
A brief pursuit followed. Allen stopped his motorcycle in a traffic lane, dismounted, and reportedly produced a handgun. Officers ordered him to drop the weapon, but according to authorities, Allen refused to comply. At that moment, both officers fired their service weapons, striking Allen. Despite immediate medical aid from police and EMS personnel, he was pronounced deceased at the scene.
Background & Additional Details
Police later confirmed that Allen was known to law enforcement, having a history of previous arrests for weapons-related offenses, obstruction, and assault. Investigators said Allen had previously made threats toward officers and had been flagged in earlier police reports.
The incident prompted a full investigation by both the Texas Rangers and the Cedar Park Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. In accordance with department policy, Officers Detlefsen and Zander were placed on paid administrative leave while the investigation proceeds.
The stabbing at the karaoke bar appears to have been unprovoked, though detectives are still piecing together the motive and any connection between Allen and Dearing. Witnesses at the bar reported a chaotic scene as patrons fled when the stabbing began.
Implications & Community Response
This event marks the first officer-involved shooting in Cedar Park since 2020. The community has expressed both sorrow and concern, particularly as details emerge about the suspect’s prior record and the nature of the confrontation. City officials emphasized that the investigation will be transparent and thorough, ensuring all evidence — including body-camera footage — is reviewed by independent investigators.
The stabbing victim, Justin Dearing, remains hospitalized but is expected to recover. His statements may provide crucial details about what led to the altercation inside the bar that night. The establishment, described as a popular karaoke and wing bar, has cooperated fully with law enforcement and provided access to surveillance footage and witness information.
Local residents have expressed condolences to the victim and his family while also voicing support for law enforcement’s quick response to a violent situation.
Legal & Investigative Next Steps
The Texas Rangers are leading the external review, focusing on forensic evidence, ballistics, and officer body-camera recordings. The CPPD’s internal affairs division will determine whether departmental policies were followed, including de-escalation efforts and the decision to use lethal force.
No charges have been filed at this stage, but once investigations conclude, findings will be presented to the district attorney for review. The department also plans to release a critical incident video within 30 days, showing a timeline of the stabbing, pursuit, and shooting for public transparency.
For now, Jacob Allen’s death and the stabbing of Justin Dearing remain under active investigation. Both the Cedar Park community and the families involved continue to process the tragedy that began with a night out at a karaoke bar and ended with a fatal police encounter.