Man Originally Thought To Be Hit-And-Run Victim Was Actually Fatally Shot: Austin Police

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — Police on Wednesday identified the man killed in North Austin on Sunday, disclosing also that the victim of what originally was believed to have been a hit-and-run driver actually had been fatally shot.

Police on Aug. 20 at about 3:20 a.m. found Valente Garcia-Hernandez, 35, injured on the ground at 8930 Galewood Dr. Medics called to the scene rendered aid, believing the man had been hit by a motor vehicle. Despite emergency medics' efforts to save the man, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 3:31 a.m., police said.

On Monday, the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office performed an autopsy and discovered the victim had been shot in addition to having been run over. The official cause of death was determined to be a gunshot wound, police said, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Related story: Man Found Dead In North Austin, Possible Victim Of Hit-And-Run Driver

Given the finding, homicide detectives were called in to take over the investigation. Through witness statements, Homicide detectives were able to determine that Gustavo Sandoval Linan, 28, was responsible for the death. Linan fled before police were able to arrest him, and has yet to be captured.

An arrest warrant has since been issued for Linan for 1st degree murder, with bond set at $1 million, police said. Detectives are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line 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. Those with information also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

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