Death – Obituary – Accident and Crime News : Two individuals were tragically killed inside their East Bexar County home on Tuesday, and they have now been identified as 55-year-old Phyllis James and 56-year-old Shane James Sr. The suspect accused of the killings is their own 34-year-old son, Shane James Jr. Shockingly, after allegedly murdering his parents, James Jr. embarked on a harrowing journey, driving over 80 miles to Austin, where he is believed to have taken the lives of four more people and injured three others, including an Austin police officer, an Austin School District Officer, and a cyclist.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are still attempting to determine the motive behind the Austin shootings. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar expressed his uncertainty, stating, “I don’t know that there was any rhyme or reason to how he selected his victims at all. Nothing that we’ve been made aware of.” Investigators are also diligently piecing together the origin of the weapon used in the crimes. While they suspect it may have come from within the house, further details about the firearm in James Jr.’s possession remain unknown.
Salazar revealed that James Jr. had a history of prior charges and active warrants for assault and bodily injury. Furthermore, it was discovered that he had been dishonorably discharged from the military in 2015 due to a domestic violence incident. Disturbingly, a study conducted by the Educational Fund to Stop Gun Violence found that over two-thirds of mass shootings are either domestic violence incidents or are carried out by individuals with a history of domestic violence.
The Texas Organizing Project, which had previously bailed out James Jr. in February 2022 through its justice program, released a statement expressing their devastation over the incident. They acknowledged the pain and suffering caused by the tragedy and emphasized their commitment to addressing the immediate impact and broader implications of their bail program. Additionally, they recognized the urgent need to tackle the endemic issue of gun violence in Texas and throughout the United States.
As the investigation continues and charges are pending in both Bexar and Travis Counties, the community remains in shock and mourning over the loss of innocent lives. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address gun violence in our society.