Calls of a reported stabbing brought Austin police to a unit at the University Canyon Apartments in Southeast Austin yesterday.

Inside the apartment, they were greeted by a ghastly sight: a handcuffed woman was clutching her 3-year-old girl, whose throat had been slashed. Both were covered in blood.

That's when the woman's ex-boyfriend, knife in hand, came stumbling out of the bedroom. He approached the cops, refusing to relinquish the weapon. One of the officers responded in kind, shooting twice and killing him.

"The officers were within about eight to 10 feet of the suspect and fearing for their lives and having no other choice, fired two rounds, striking the suspect," said Police Chief Art Acevedo.

The girl remains in critical condition at Dell Children's Medical Center. The officer who fired the gun has been placed on administrative leave, pending an investigation.