Austin Police Seek Public's Help In Unsolved Murder Case

AUSTIN, TX — Police seek assistance from the public in solving a murder case last year for which charges against the original suspect were dropped.

On Nov. 23, 2017, police were dispatched amid reports of a shooting at 9616 N. Lamar Blvd. Officers were notified there were two shooting victims that had been transported to North Austin Medical Center in private vehicles. One of the victims, Samuel Charlez, was later transported to Round Rock Hospital by Starflight where he immediately underwent surgery and was listed in critical condition and later died, according to police.

Hector Guajardo-Garcia was later identified as the shooter, and was arrested on Nov. 30, 2017, by members of the the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force.On December 6, 2017 at approximately 7:10 p.m., Samuel Charlez succumbed to his wounds and died.

But police last week, on Jan. 23, dropped the charges against Guajardo-Garcia. Police said the surviving victim opted not to cooperate with the investigation, recanting his earlier statement identifying Guajardo-Garcia as the shooter. Witnesses also disputed the idea that Guajardo-Garcia was the shooter, saying the suspect was a younger man, police explained in a press advisory.

As a result, police said they are now pursuing other leads. While Guajardo-Garcia remains a person of interest, police said they were unable to justify keeping him in jail with a pair of charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, police added.

Given those developments, there are no suspects in the case. On Wednesday, police released video of the vehicle that entered and left the parking lot at the crime scene, which is described as a blue Chevrolet Suburban or Tahoe.

Those with information that might be helpful to police in their investigation are urged to contact the Homicide tip at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES or use the new Crime Stoppers App. You can also submit tips by downloading our mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

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