Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Travis County, Texas – In a shocking turn of events, the man suspected of carrying out a series of violent attacks that left six people dead and several others injured has been identified by the police. Authorities have booked 34-year-old Shane James into Travis County Jail on charges including capital murder of multiple persons. He is currently being held without bond.
The violent incidents, which took place in Austin and Bexar County, unfolded on Tuesday. The relationship between the victims and the suspect remains unknown, according to Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson. However, the suspect is believed to have shot an Austin Independent School District police officer outside Northeast Early College High School. The officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg but is expected to make a full recovery, as confirmed by school district officials.
The first shooting occurred just over an hour later, as 911 callers reported hearing shots fired in the 7300 block of Shadywood Drive. Upon arrival, the police discovered the lifeless bodies of a man and a woman, who have yet to be identified. This was followed by another call reporting a cyclist being shot at 5701 West Slaughter Lane. While the extent of the cyclist’s injuries remains undisclosed, they are not believed to be life-threatening.
Later that evening, a burglary was reported in the 5300 block of Austral Loop. When an officer responded to the scene, they found James in the backyard of the residence. Without hesitation, James opened fire, striking the officer multiple times. Although the officer returned fire, James managed to escape in a vehicle. After a 15-minute pursuit, authorities finally apprehended James following a crash at the intersection of South Highway 45 and FM 1826.
Inside the home on Austral Loop, law enforcement discovered two deceased individuals, whose identities have not yet been revealed. The officer shot by James was rushed to a hospital and is now in stable condition, with non-life-threatening injuries.
Following the shootings, a connection between the suspect and a home in East Bexar County was uncovered, leading authorities to contact the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office. The house is reportedly owned by a man named Shane James, who may be the suspect’s father. Upon arrival at the residence, deputies discovered water flowing from within and received no response when attempting to make contact. They forcibly entered the home and found two individuals in their 50s dead in a small room. The circumstances surrounding their deaths have not yet been determined.
While authorities believe that the killings in Bexar County initiated the violent spree, the motive behind the attacks and whether they were random remains unclear. The investigation is ongoing as officials work diligently to uncover more details about this tragic incident.