A series of deadly shootings in Austin and San Antonio, Texas, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, culminated in the arrest of a suspect charged with capital murder.
Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson of the Austin Police Department confirmed that the suspect, identified as 34-year-old Shane James, a former Army infantry officer, was arrested after a city-wide series of shootings that left six people dead and three injured, including two police officers. Travis County jail records indicate that an individual named Shane James was booked early Wednesday on multiple capital murder charges.
The spree began at Northeast Early College High School in Austin, where an officer from the Austin Independent School District was shot in the leg at approximately 10:43 a.m.
Following this incident, a double homicide occurred before noon in San Antonio, involving a male and a female victim, who were later identified as James’ parents, 56-year-old Shane James Sr. and 55-year-old Phyllis James. Witnesses reported a horrifying sequence of events: the suspect shot James Sr. in his truck, pursued and killed his mother, who confronted him, and then fled in the stolen truck.
At 12 pm, two more victims were found shot on Shadywood Drive, Emanuel Pop Ba, 32, and Sabrina Rahman, 24, one dead at the scene, the other in the hospital.
Later in the day, around 4:43 p.m., a cyclist in South Austin was shot and suffered non-life-threatening injuries. In the evening, just before 7 p.m., police responding to a burglary call encountered two more victims, Catherine Short, 56, and Lauren Short, 30. A subsequent shootout with the suspect resulted in two officers being injured. The chase that ensued ended with the suspect’s vehicle crashing at the intersection of State Highway 45 and FM 1826, where he was apprehended.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott extended his condolences and highlighted the vital role played by Independent School District police officers in maintaining safety. Chief Henderson, while noting that the investigation was ongoing and information was preliminary, stated that the connection between the various crime scenes was established following the last shooting.
In addition to the capital murder charges, the suspect is also wanted on an outstanding warrant for Assault with Injury Family Violence.
