Crime & Safety

Police Take Closer Look At Fatal South Austin Shooting Deemed Accidental [UPDATED]

Police called shooting at 1500 block of West William Cannon Drive "suspicious," and now say alcohol may have been a contributing factor.

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Police are taking a closer look at what was originally deemed an accidental shooting in South Austin over the weekend, saying in a Monday news release that alcohol may have played a role in the fatal incident and several firearms were found at the scene.

Police responded to the 1500 block of West William Cannon Drive just before 1 a.m. on Feb. 4 where thye found two males, including one suffering from a gunshot wound. Officers implemented life-saving measures in an attempt to save the man before he was taken to South Austin Hospital, where he later died at around 2:06 a.m.

The second victim had minor injuries, and was treated on the scene by Austin-Travis County EMS medics.

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Police said they recovered several firearms at the scene and alcohol may have been a contributing factor in the shooting. No arrests have been made, police said.

Anyone with information on the incident is urged o call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or by texting "Tip 103" + the tip to CRIMES. Those with information also can submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

Find out what's happening in South Austinfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

A woman who identified herself as the mother of the deceased man reached out to Patch on Sunday to clarify the man's age, which police have placed as being in the 40s. The woman said the deceased man was 31 years old.

He was 11 days from his 32nd birthday," the woman wrote. "The shooting was an accident and has been ruled as such by Austin's finest. Your reporting, even though I am sure most of it is taken from the police blogs or, in this case, Twitter, have consequences to the family and friends of the victim."

She described the man as "...a free spirit, a loving son, brother and father, a thoughtful and loving friend."

Patch offered to write a separate story on the deceased man's life by interviewing family members, but the woman reaching declined.

From Feb. 4:

SOUTH AUSTIN, TX — Police early Saturday reported to a suspicious death in South Austin where they found a gunshot victim.

According to a tweeted message by the Austin Police Department issued at around 1 a.m., officers were called to the scene at he 1500 block of West William Cannon Drive after receiving reports of an accidental shooting. Upon arrival to the Cannon Place Apartments, police found a man on the floor suffering from a gunshot wound.

Police performed life-saving measures on the victim, a 31-year-old man, before he was rushed to South Austin Hospital where he later died. According to police, a "person of interest" was being questioned in connection with the incident, and he was being cooperative with officers.

No further details were provided. Patch will provide more information as it becomes available.

>>> Image via Shutterstock

Editor's note: This story has been updated to include the correct age of the victim as conveyed by a family member, replacing incorrect information previously provided by officials.

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