White Nissan Sentra Shooting Suspect

Austin police on May 12 asked the public to help identify a white 2019 Nissan Sentra that detectives say was used in an April 2 shooting in South Austin. 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 and found multiple victims and several homes hit by gunfire, though no injuries were reported. Witnesses told investigators a white sedan drove past a group gathered outside a residence, then returned and gunfire followed, according to the department. Detectives said the shooting may be connected to a homicide reported about two hours later in the 10900 block of Brazoria Lane. ### What did police say happened on King Henry Drive? The Austin Police Department said the April 2 shooting happened in the 5300 block of King Henry Drive after a white sedan passed through the neighborhood and then came back. Officers who arrived found several homes struck by bullets and multiple people at the scene, APD said. No injuries were reported in that case. (austintexas.gov) Witness accounts cited by APD said the car held as many as five occupants. Detectives said at least two suspects either got out of the vehicle or leaned from it to shoot. APD described the suspects as Black males wearing ski masks. ### Why are investigators focused on a white Nissan Sentra? (austintexas.gov) APD said detectives believe the suspect vehicle was a white 2019 Nissan Sentra. The department released that detail as part of a public appeal for help identifying the car and the people inside it. (austintexas.gov) The May 12 police notice asked anyone with photos, videos or other evidence to send the material to investigators. APD also said anonymous tips could be submitted through Capital Area Crime Stoppers, which was offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest. (austintexas.gov) ### How does this connect to the Brazoria Lane homicide? APD said detectives believe the King Henry Drive shooting may be connected to a homicide that occurred about two hours later in the 10900 block of Brazoria Lane. In a separate homicide release, police 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, a Black man born June 23, 1990, was found with apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at 1:09 a.m., according to APD. The homicide notice did not publicly identify a suspect vehicle in the Brazoria Lane case, but the aggravated assault release said detectives saw a possible connection between the two episodes. (austintexas.gov) ### Is this the same case as the May weekend shooting spree? Austin police on May 18 announced arrests in a separate series of shootings, stolen vehicles and other violent crimes that took place between May 16 and May 17 across Austin. In that case, APD said three suspects were arrested, including 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, and investigators believed the incidents were a mix of random and targeted shootings. (austintexas.gov) The May 16-17 spree involved dark-colored sedans, including a Hyundai Sonata that police later determined had been stolen, according to APD’s timeline. The white Nissan Sentra appeal concerns an April 2 aggravated assault investigation and a possible link to the April 3 Brazoria Lane homicide, not the later weekend spree described by Chief Lisa Davis. (austintexas.gov) ### Where can people send tips now? APD said people with information about the white Nissan Sentra can contact the Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5245. The department also said evidence can be submitted through its online portal, and anonymous tips can be sent to Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. (austintexas.gov) The next public step is likely to come through updated Austin police releases in the aggravated assault case 26-0921478 or the Brazoria Lane homicide case 26-0930050. As of May 20, APD’s public notice still asked for help identifying the Sentra and the suspects tied to the April 2 shooting. (austintexas.gov)