$1,000 Reward Offered In Unsolved South Austin Murder Case

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in an unsolved South Austin murder case dating to May 2017.

On May 19, 2017, just before 7:10 a.m., police responded to a report of shots fired at 611 S. Congress Ave. — close to the Ego's karaoke bar and an adjacent Chevron station. The victim, later identified as Van Kevin White, 51, was found with trauma throughout his body, and died after being rushed to University Medical Center at Brackenridge Hospital.

Scant details have been gathered related to a suspect, described only as a Caucasian or Hispanic male with short, dark hair of average build. The vehicle in which he fled is described as a Mazda hatchback that is either "orange-red" or rust-colored.

The killing occurred in the parking lot behind the building at 611 S. Congress Ave. The site is bordered by The Crescent apartment building at 127 E. Riverside, on the south side of the building and City View at SoCo apartment building at 1005 S. Congress Ave. on the north side. Police released an illustration of the site where the murder occurred (see below).

"It is possible a resident in one of these buildings may have seen what occurred in the parking lot," police wrote in a press advisory. Police added they believe the public is not at risk in the aftermath of the murder — law enforcement verbiage typically utilized to suggest the victim and suspect knew each other.

Detectives ask anyone with any information regarding this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS. Those with information also can text "Tip 103" with a message to CRIMES or through use of the Crime Stoppers App. Tipsters also can alert police by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

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