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.
Suspect was unmedicated, police say
In August, deputies responded to a mental health call at the James’ home.
The suspect was naked and having a mental health episode but was not arrested despite his three outstanding misdemeanours because the deputies were not allowed to force entry into his room. James barricaded inside his upstairs bedroom and used racial slurs as he confronted deputies trying to de-escalate the situation, Sheriff Salazar said.
The deputies left after James Sr promised to give them a call once his son left the room. Sheriff Salazar said that the father never did so.
The sheriff said his department is investigating how James, who was unmedicated at the time of the attack, gained access to a weapon.
Texas mother on stroller walk with baby identified among six killed in shooting spree
Sabrina Rahman, 24, had just moved into a new home with her husband and their one-year-old son a day before the attack unfolded in their South Austin neighbourhood on Tuesday.
Rahman and 32-year-old family friend Emmanuel Pop Ba, who was helping her move, were fatally shot by a gunman who has been identified as Shane James by the Austin Police Department.
Distraught family members told The Austin-American Stateman that Pop Ba was entering his vehicle to leave for lunch when he was allegedly shot by 34-year-old Mr James. Rahman, who had taken her baby for a stroller walk, saw the commotion and tried to run away, her uncle Marshall Hussain told the outlet.
Texas mother on stroller walk with baby identified among six killed in shooting spree
Sabrina Rahman, 24, had just moved into a new home with her husband and their one-year-old son a day before the attack unfolded in their South Austin neighbourhood on Tuesday.
Rahman and 32-year-old family friend Emmanuel Pop Ba, who was helping her move, were fatally shot by a gunman who has been identified as Shane James by the Austin Police Department.
Distraught family members told The Austin-American Stateman that Pop Ba was entering his vehicle to leave for lunch when he was allegedly shot by 34-year-old Mr James. Rahman, who had taken her baby for a stroller walk, saw the commotion and tried to run away, her uncle Marshall Hussain told the outlet.
Mother on walk with baby among six dead in Texas shooting spree
Sabrina Rahman, 24, had just moved in with her family to the neighbourhood where she was attacked
WATCH: Texas shooting spree: Who is the shooter?
A timeline of the violent rampage that left six dead on Tuesday
What we know about Texas shooting spree that left six dead miles apart
An eight-hour rampage in Texas at different crime scenes in the cities of San Antonio and Austin has left six people dead, including the suspect’s parents.
The Austin Police Department identified the suspect in the attacks as 34-year-old Shane James, who has a history of mental health illness and was previously arrested for attacking several family members. James, who is currently in custody, now faces charges of capital murders in connection with the daylong violence on Tuesday.
The dead were found in several homes miles from each other and authorities have yet to provide a motive in the killings.
What we know about Texas shooting spree that left six dead miles apart
Authorities in Texas said that six bodies were found at three different crime scenes in San Antonio and Austin. A link between the crimes was not established until the suspect, 34-year-old Shane James, was arrested on Tuesday night
White House grieves ‘senseless’ UNLV, Texas mass shootings
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean Pierre addresses recent mass shootings
During a briefing on Thursday, Ms Pierre said that President Biden has ordered the newly established office of gun violence prevention to monitor the situation in Las Vegas, where a gunman killed three people yesterday before he was fatally shot by police.
“I also want to note that less than 24 hours ago I stood at this same podium as we mourn the six lives lost in San Antonio. And here we are again today. When the President talks about ending the epidemic of gun violence. This is what he’s talking about,” Ms Pierre said.
“From Las Vegas, to Texas to Memphis to Maine. When will be When will it be enough? When will it be enough? We have faces and we cannot continue to live like this.
“As the President said, Republican lawmakers must join Democrats in Congress to advance common-sense measures to protect Americans from gun violence. Literally, every day, every day we wait, becomes another day too late.”
Suspect believed to have been killed first, police say
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.
Bail reform organization bailed James out in 2022
After it emerged on Wednesday that the suspect in the shooting spree that left six people dead was bonded out of jail by The Texas Organizing Project, the organization issued a statement addressing the $300 that was posted on James’ behalf
“Texas Organizing Project (TOP) is profoundly saddened and deeply troubled by the recent tragic events involving Shane James,” the statement to KSAT read. “We condemn his most recent egregious acts, full stop. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the victims and their families during this incredibly difficult time.”
The organization, which works for bail reform, said it was aware of “the broader implications” that the murders on Tuesday had for its bail program.