Police Hunt White Nissan Sentra in Austin Shootings

Austin police said this week they are looking for a white 2019 Nissan Sentra that detectives believe was used in an April 2 drive-by shooting in East Austin and may be connected to a homicide reported about two hours later. The department’s Aggravated Assault Unit said officers were called at 10:48 p.m. to the 5300 block of King Henry Drive, where they found multiple victims and several homes struck by gunfire. Police said no injuries were reported in that shooting. Detectives described the occupants as Black males wearing ski masks and asked the public for photos, videos and tips as the investigation continues. ### Where did the shooting happen, and what did police find? The 5300 block of King Henry Drive is the location Austin police identified in the case notice released on May 12. According to the department, officers responding to reports of shots fired found several people at the scene and multiple homes that had been hit by bullets. Police said the gunfire did not leave anyone physically injured. (austintexas.gov) April 2 at 10:48 p.m. is the time stamp listed by APD for the aggravated assault case, numbered 26-0921478. The department said the shooting began when a white sedan drove through the neighborhood and opened fire on a group gathered outside a residence. Witnesses told investigators the car first passed the group, then returned before shots were fired. (austintexas.gov) ### Why are detectives focused on a white Nissan Sentra? APD detectives said they believe the suspect vehicle is a white 2019 Nissan Sentra. The department did not say how it identified the make and model, but the vehicle description is the central public lead in the case notice. (austintexas.gov) Witness accounts led investigators to say there may have been as many as five occupants inside the car. Police also said at least two suspects either got out of the vehicle or leaned from it to shoot. ### What do police say about the suspects? Black males wearing ski masks is how the suspects were described in the Austin police release. (austintexas.gov) The department has not publicly named any suspect and has not announced any arrest in the King Henry Drive case. No injuries were reported in the East Austin shooting, but the case remains classified as an aggravated assault investigation. (austintexas.gov) APD said detectives are still seeking evidence from anyone who may have recorded the vehicle or the gunfire. ### How is this tied to the Brazoria Lane homicide? (austintexas.gov) Austin police said detectives believe the King Henry Drive shooting may be connected to a homicide in the 10900 block of Brazoria Lane about two hours later. In a separate release, the department said officers responded there at 12:42 a.m. on April 3 after a caller reported her boyfriend had been shot. (austintexas.gov) Joshua Williams, whom police identified as a Black male born June 23, 1990, was found with apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the scene at 1:09 a.m., according to APD. The homicide investigation remained open as of the department’s April 6 notice, and police said no arrests had been made. (austintexas.gov) ### What evidence are investigators asking the public to share? Austin police said anyone with photos, videos or other potential evidence should send it to investigators. The department said people with information can contact the Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5245, while anonymous tips can be submitted through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477 or through its website. (austintexas.gov) A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest, APD said. In the homicide case, detectives separately asked neighbors on Brazoria Lane to share any video footage recorded between 11:30 p.m. and 1 a.m. because the direction of travel of the people responsible was unknown. (austintexas.gov) ### What happens next in the investigation? May 12 is the date Austin police publicly asked for help in the King Henry Drive case, more than a month after the April 2 shooting. The department has not announced a suspect name, an arrest or charges in either the aggravated assault case or the Brazoria Lane homicide. (austintexas.gov) The next public step is likely to come through additional APD case updates or an arrest notice tied to case numbers 26-0921478 and 26-0930050. For now, detectives are asking anyone with direct evidence from King Henry Drive or Brazoria Lane to contact investigators or Crime Stoppers. (austintexas.gov)