The Austin Police Department is currently investigating two separate homicides that occurred within a 12-hour timeframe, marking the 17th and 18th homicides in the city this year. As of now, no arrests have been made in either case.
The first incident took place on April 3 at approximately 5:45 p.m. at a Penske rental truck facility on Tuscany Way in Northeast Austin. According to police, a confrontation between two known individuals escalated, leading to gunfire. The victim, identified as 39-year-old William Rogers, was shot and subsequently transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Police spokesperson Dana Kavanagh noted, “This appears to be an isolated incident where both individuals were known to each other. There is no ongoing threat to the public.” The dispute reportedly arose over rental costs during a meeting related to their work as movers.
The shooter remained at the scene and cooperated with authorities, who are actively canvassing the area, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing surveillance footage to piece together the details of the confrontation.
The second homicide occurred just hours later, around 12:45 a.m. on April 4, near Lakeline Boulevard on Brazoria Lane in Northwest Austin. Officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire and discovered a 35-year-old man who had been shot and was unresponsive.
Police have indicated that there are currently no suspects in custody, and it remains unclear whether the victim and shooter were acquainted. Kavanagh stated that this incident also appears to be isolated, with no immediate threat to public safety.
Despite the proximity of the two cases, Kavanagh assured that law enforcement had sufficient resources to manage both scenes effectively. The police are urging anyone with relevant information about either homicide to reach out to the Austin Police Department’s homicide tip line.
