S. Austin Homicide Suspect Likely Fled To Mexico: Police (Update)

AUSTIN, TEXAS — Police have identified a suspect in connection to the fatal shooting of a man whose body was found in a South Austin park over the weekend.

Juan Rangel Zapata, 38, was found dead at the intersection of Onion Creek Drive and Springville Lane on March 17 at around 6:35 p.m. At a press briefing updating the case on Tuesday, a police official said Zapata died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Police now have identified the victim's estranged boyfriend, 20-year-old Juan Eduardo Rendon, who has been identified as the suspect in the homicide. In a Wednesday update, police said they believe Rendon fled to Mexico after the killing, prompting them to seek a provisional arrest warrant. "This is a lengthy process involving multiple agencies," police said in a press advisory.

According to police, a worker called police to report Zapata as missing after he failed to show up to work at the La Catedral del Marisco restaurant, 2711 E. Cesar Chavez St., where he was a supervisor. The woman went to the victim's home to check on his welfare, finding his car in the driveway with the keys in the ignition.

Related story: Police ID Body Found In South Austin Park

By Sunday evening, Zapata was found dead with his body riddled with bullet wounds. A police spokesman said the two men dated for two years, describing the relationship as tumultuous. The two were in the process of separating after Rendon was locked out of the home the two shared before the killing, a detective said in the briefing.

Police now are searching for Rendon, asking members of the public to call 9-1-1 should they spot him. Law enforcement officials warned Rendon should not be approached as he is considered "armed and dangerous."

A photo of Rendon was issued by police in the hopes somebody might recognize him and alert law enforcement as to his whereabouts.

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