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. 

The Austin Police Department, led by Interim Chief of Police Robin Henderson, confirmed the arrest following a city-wide spree that resulted in six fatalities and three injuries, including two police officers.

The suspect, identified as Shane James, 34, according to sources, began the rampage in Austin and was later linked to additional homicides near San Antonio. Travis County jail records show that a person with the same name was booked early Wednesday morning on charges of capital murder of several people.

The series of shootings began at Northeast Early College High School in Austin, where an Austin Independent School District police officer was shot in the leg around 10:43 a.m. 

Shortly after, a double homicide involving a male and female victim was reported just before noon. Eyewitness accounts detailed a chilling scene where the suspect shot a handyman in his truck, chased down a woman who confronted him, and fatally shot her before fleeing in the handyman’s truck.

Later on, a cyclist in South Austin reported a non-life-threatening gunshot wound around 4:43 p.m. 

Just before 7 p.m., police responded to a burglary and found two more victims while also engaging in a shootout with the suspect, who injured two officers before leading them on a chase.

The pursuit ended with the suspect’s vehicle crashing at State Highway 45 and FM 1826 intersection, leading to his arrest. 

Texas Governor Greg Abbott expressed his condolences and emphasized the critical role of Independent School District police officers in ensuring safety. 

Chief Henderson noted that while the investigation was ongoing and information was preliminary, the connections between the various crime scenes were established only after the last shooting incident. 

Sheriff Javier Salazar of the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, as reported by KXAN, is also investigating the suspect in relation to a double homicide near San Antonio, reportedly James’ parents, Shane Sr., 56, and Phyllis James, 55.

In addition to the capital murder charge, the suspect faces an outstanding warrant for Assault with Injury Family Violence.