White Nissan Sentra Shooting Suspect

Austin police said on May 12 that detectives were seeking the public’s help to identify suspects linked to an April 2 shooting in East Austin in which a white 2019 Nissan Sentra was seen at the scene. The Austin Police Department said officers responded at 10:48 p.m. that night to reports of shots fired in the 5300 block of King Henry Drive. Multiple victims and several homes had been struck by gunfire, police said, though no injuries were reported. Detectives said the same shooting may be connected to a homicide that occurred about two hours later in the 10900 block of Brazoria Lane. ### Where did police say the white Nissan Sentra appear? The Austin Police Department said the Sentra was the suspected vehicle in the King Henry Drive shooting on April 2. Witnesses told investigators that a white sedan drove through the neighborhood, passed a group gathered outside a residence, then returned and opened fire, according to the department. KVUE, citing Austin police, reported the location was near U.S. 183 and East Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in East Austin. Police said several homes were hit by gunfire when officers arrived. ### What did witnesses tell investigators about the suspects? Austin police said witnesses reported that as many as five people may have been inside the car. Detectives said at least two suspects exited or leaned from the vehicle to shoot at the group outside the residence. The suspects were described by police as Black males wearing ski masks. The department did not identify any suspect by name in the May 12 release and asked the public to provide any photos, videos or other evidence tied to the shooting. ### How does this case connect to the broader Austin shootings investigation? On May 18, Austin police said three suspects had been arrested in connection with a series of shootings, stolen vehicles and other violent crimes that occurred across Austin between May 16 and May 17. The department identified one of them as 17-year-old Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo and said two other suspects were juveniles whose identities could not be released under Texas law. Police said investigators believed those May shootings included both random and targeted attacks. The department said additional charges were under review and could include aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, deadly conduct, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest and theft of a firearm. The May 18 release did not say that the white Nissan Sentra from the April 2 King Henry Drive case was part of the later May 16-17 shooting spree. It did say investigators were continuing to review ballistic evidence, surveillance footage, witness statements and recovered evidence. ### What have police said about the possible homicide link? Austin police said detectives believed the April 2 shooting on King Henry Drive may be connected to a homicide that happened about two hours later in the 10900 block of Brazoria Lane. The May 12 department release did not name the homicide victim or describe the nature of the connection beyond timing and location. KVUE reported the later homicide occurred at an apartment complex in northwest Austin, citing police. Austin police have not publicly detailed in that release whether the same suspects, firearm or vehicle were used in both cases. ### What are investigators asking the public to do now? Austin police said anyone with information, photos, video or other evidence related to the King Henry Drive shooting should contact the department’s Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5245. The department also said anonymous tips can be submitted through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program at 512-472-8477, with a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. The City of Austin’s May 18 update said investigators were still reviewing evidence in the broader shootings cases and that additional charges could follow. Austin police said the next step is continued evidence review by the Aggravated Assault Unit and partner agencies as those cases move forward.