A man and woman believed to be in their 50s were found “in a very small room” by deputies who forced their way into the home Tuesday evening.
SAN ANTONIO — A violent day of shootings in Texas’ capital city may have started with a double-murder in the San Antonio area.
Bexar County authorities say they believe a man arrested in Austin on Tuesday also killed two middle-aged people whose bodies were found “wedged inside a very small room” in a home near Old Seguin and Walzem roads.
Sheriff Javier Salazar described the scene as a “grisly” one, saying that while Austin authorities believe their suspect “had links” to the home, it’s still unclear what his relationship to the victims is.
The suspect has been identified as Shane Matthew James Jr., and officials believe he is responsible for four shootings across Central Texas, including one in San Antonio and in Austin. In total, six people are dead across the two cities, with three more injured, including two police officers. All of the injured are expected to be OK.
The victims in San Antonio are believed to be a man and a woman. Salazar said they were found shortly after deputies arrived to the 6000 block of Port Royal around 7:45 p.m. and decided to force their way in.
“They’re obviously deceased,” he said. “We just don’t know the cause of death at this point.”
The sheriff said Austin authorities have given the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) only limited information about what happened there on Tuesday, but said it’s believed the Bexar County victims were killed before the suspect headed north.
According to Salazar, neighbors described the family as quiet and living in a “very well-maintained” home.
“Nobody deserves to die the way we believe that they died,” he said.
Governor Greg Abbott issued a statement Wednesday following the shootings.
“Texans grieve for the loved ones of the six Texans who were murdered by a hardened criminal who must never see the light of day again. The murderer also shot two law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Texas is a law-and-order state, and violence will never be tolerated. We thank all state and local law enforcement and first responders who apprehended this criminal and protected their communities. The State of Texas will provide all resources necessary to impose the full weight of law on this criminal for his despicable crimes. Cecilia and I ask our fellow Texans to join us in lifting up in prayer the families and loved ones of those who were killed, as well as the Texans who are recovering from injuries, including an Austin Police Officer and an Austin Independent School District police officer,” Abbott said.
>Watch the full update from Sheriff Salazar below:
Austin police officials told our sister station KVUE that they’re investigating a series of Tuesday shootings which may be connected.
It began when an Austin ISD police officer was shot in an “unprovoked way” outside a campus on the northeast side around 10:45 a.m. outside Northeast Early College High School on Berkman Drive in northeast Austin. Later, a man and a woman were found dead on the south side, and an Austin Police Department officer was also injured in a shooting.
Initially, investigators were not sure if these crimes were all connected to a single suspect.
The next incident is when police were able to make first contact with James.
APD officers got a call about a burglary in progress at a home on Austral Loop in southwest Austin around 6:45 p.m.
APD said when officers arrived, a male suspect, later identified as James, began shooting at them. Officers returned fire but did not hit James.
The officers on scene called for backup. Austin-Travis County EMS medics and Austin Fire Department crews responded because an APD officer had been shot. That officer is going to be OK, according to APD.
During this time, James was able to get away and take off in a car.
Police chased James until he crashed his car near State Highway 45 and FM 1826. APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said officers took James into custody and that he did have a gun on him.
While some of the responding officers were chasing James, other officers found two people dead inside the home on Austral Loop where the robbery was taking place.
James was taken to the Travis County Jail, where he has been charged with capital murder. He was also booked for a family violence charge, with further charges pending.
Interim Chief Henderson said, per APD policy, body camera footage from this incident will be released within 10 days.
The officer who fired their weapon is on administrative leave, per the department’s policy. They have been with APD for 12 years.
It is not clear at this time if James knew any of his alleged victims or if these were random attacks.
This is a developing story. Check back with KENS5.com for updates.
>MORE LOCAL NEWS:
>TRENDING ON KENS 5 YOUTUBE:
Learn more about KENS 5:
Since going on the air in 1950, KENS 5 has strived to be the best, most trusted news and entertainment source for generations of San Antonians.
KENS 5 has brought numerous firsts to South Texas television, including being the first local station with a helicopter, the first with its own Doppler radar and the first to air a local morning news program.
Over the years, KENS 5 has worked to transform local news. Our cameras have been the lens bringing history into local viewers’ homes. We’re proud of our legacy as we serve San Antonians today.
Today, KENS 5 continues to set the standard in local broadcasting and is recognized by its peers for excellence and innovation. The KENS 5 News team focuses on stories that really matter to our community.
You can find KENS 5 in more places than ever before, including KENS5.com, the KENS 5 app, the KENS 5 YouTube channel, KENS 5’s Roku and Fire TV apps, and across social media on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more!
Want to get in touch with someone at KENS 5? You can send a message using our Contacts page or email one of our team members.
Original News Source
Running For Office? Conservative Campaign Management – Election Day Strategies!