Texas shooting spree: Young mother and handyman named among six victims in Austin
Shane James, 34, arrested on capital murder charges on Tuesday
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Your support makes all the difference.A complex investigation has been launched after six people were found dead across two major cities in Texas.
Suspect Shane James, 34, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with capital murder charges in connection with the deaths of four people in Austin. James is also accused of killing his parents Phyllis James, 55, and Shane Matthew James Sr, 56 at their home in San Antonio.
Police identified two of the victims killed in Austin as 24-year-old Sabrina Rahman and Emmanuel Pop Ba, 32.
A friend of Pop Ba told The Austin-American Stateman that he was sitting inside a car when the gunman opened fire on him. Pop Ba was helping that friend move to their new home.
Rahman’s uncle Marshall Hussain also told the outlet that his niece was struck by gunfire as she was walking her baby in a stroller.
“She did her last act to push the child away,” Mr Hussain said.
James, who has a history of mental health issues and was discharged from the Army due to a domestic violence incident, was taken into custody after crashing his car while fleeing police following a shootout with an officer who suffered multiple gunshot wounds.
Couple in their 50s first victims killed by suspect, police say
The first two victims were found deceased in a small room in a residence in San Antonio.
Authorities have not released their identities, their cause of death, or what relationship, if any, they had with the suspect.
It is only known that they were a couple in their 50s.
“I believe they saw water coming out of the residence, appearing as if something was leaking inside,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said. “Two people were found dead in the house, but Salazar didn’t say how they died.
Second double homicide happened in South Austin
Authorities responded to a .home at the 7300 block of Shadywood Drive in South Austin at around noon on Tuesday.
They found two people killed at the home.
The suspect engaged in a shootout with police after a burglary was reported at a home in the 5300 block of Austral Loop. Two other victims were found dead inside.
Travis County District Attorney’s Office condemns violence
“Our hearts break for the shooting victims, injured officers, their families, and our communities impacted by yesterday’s senseless and tragic gun violence,” District Attorney José Garza’s office said in a statement to NBC.
How did the first two victims die?
Robin Henderson, Austin interim police chief, declined to elaborate on how the fatal victims in the killing spree were murdered.
Authroities arrived at the location of the first criem scene in San Antonio after a bystander placed a 911 call.
“I believe they saw water coming out of the residence, appearing as if something was leaking inside,” Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said, accoridng to Spectrum News. “Two people were found dead in the house, but Salazar didn’t say how they died.
Shane James identified as suspect
The Austin Police Department has identified 34-year-old Shane James as the suspect in Tuesday’s killing spree.
Police released Mr James’ name and booking photo on X on Wednesday afternoon.
Governor Abbot releases statement reacting to shooting near high school
“Our hearts are with the family and loved ones of the Austin ISD police officer who was shot near Northeast Early College High School today,” Abbott said in a statement on Tuesday. “Our ISD police officers play a critical role on keeping Texas students and school faculty safe. The State of Texas is offering all available resources to local law enforcement partners who are working to ensure this dangerous criminal is caught and brought to justice. Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in praying for the officer’s swift recovery and the entire Northeast Early College High School community.”
Victims in Bexar County are suspect’s parents
In Bexar County, about 80 miles south from Austin, Sheriff Javier Salazar said his agency got a call from Austin police at about 7.45pm about a shooting.
He said the man they had in custody had links to a residence east of San Antonio, where two officers were sent.
“I believe they saw water coming out of the residence, appearing as if something was leaking inside,” Sheriff Salazar said.
Mr James’ parents Phyllis James, 55, and Shane Matthew James Sr, 56, were found dead in the house.
Mr Salazar said that the San Antonio crime scene was “grisly” but did not elaborate on how the victims were killed.
“Nobody deserves to die the way we believe that they died,” the sheriff said. “This is a very quiet family. The gentleman that lives in the home, he’s very involved in the community, in the neighbourhood watch.”
Sheriff Salazar said it’s believed the deaths in the home happened sometime between 10pm on Monday, when a sibling of Mr James last spoke with their parents, and 9am on Tuesday, when a neighbour noticed James’ vehicle was not in the driveway.
Sheriff Salazar has asked neighbours to check their doorbell cameras to help authorities establish a more clear timeline.
Statement from President Joe Biden on the Shootings in Texas and Nevada
“Yesterday, in Austin and San Antonio, at least six people were killed and several more injured by a gunman—leaving families devastated, and communities forever changed. And just hours ago, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas became the latest college campus to be terrorized by a horrific act of gun violence, and the community is still awaiting information on casualties.
“Jill and I join citizens across our nation in praying for the families of our fallen, and for those who were injured during these latest acts of senseless violence. We are also grateful for the courageous work of law enforcement—who risked their own safety to bring an end to these deadly shooting sprees.
“Federal law enforcement officials are on the ground working with State and local law enforcement in both states and I have directed that all necessary support be provided to assist in the investigations and support these communities.This year alone, our nation has experienced more than 600 mass shootings, and approximately 40,000 deaths due to gun violence.
“This is not normal, and we can never let it become normal.For all the action we have taken since I’ve been President, the epidemic of gun violence we face demands that we do even more.
“But we cannot do more without Congress. Republican lawmakers must join with Democrats in Congress to ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, pass a national red flag law, enact universal background checks, require the safe storage of guns, and advance other commonsense measures that will help stem the tide of gun violence. And together, we must do more to prevent more families, and more communities like Austin, San Antonio, and Las Vegas, from being ripped apart by gun violence.”