Three deadly shootings in Austin in the space of 10 days drew attention to rising levels of gun crime in the city.
A report on KVUE News noted the upsurge of shootings in the city this year. On Aug. 8, a 58-year-old woman died when shots were fired outside a North Austin business on Wagon Trail. Three other people suffered injuries in the incident.
Two other fatal shootings occurred within days of each other in East Austin. On Aug. 11 a fatal shooting was reported on Elmira Road. Manor Road was the scene of another fatal shooting three days later. Police made arrests in both cases.
At the end of August, a man received serious injuries when he was shot near the 700 block of East Rundberg Lane in North Austin.
In September, a man was killed in Austin in a gun fight with police officers, reported The Statesman.
Sgt. Jerry Bauzon of Austin Police Division Homicide Unit said the city is lucky in that it avoids the levels of violent crime experienced in many other places. Austin averages about 25 to 30 shooting deaths a year.
However, by August, Austin exceeded 17 homicides recorded in 2015, suggesting levels of gun crime are rising.
KVUE spoke to Misha Jones, whose home is near Wagon Trail. She fears more violent crimes in the area and called for more police patrols.
Gun Crime is a Felony Offense
Gun crime is treated seriously in Texas. Even possession of a banned firearm is a third-degree felony.
If you take a life with a gun, you will likely face a murder or manslaughter charge. We define murder here on our website. If the prosecution asserts you intended to hurt the victim, or, were aware you committed an act that was “clearly dangerous to human life,” you will face a murder charge.
Murder charges can also be brought if a death occurs when you are committing a felony. An example would be a fatal shooting during a robbery. Even if there was no intent to kill a victim, a perpetrator would face a murder charge if a death resulted.
Gun crime is taken very seriously. If you have been charged with murder, you should contact an experienced Austin murder defense attorney as soon as possible. Call us for a confidential consultation at (512) 399-2311.