Affidavit: Man charged with murder after repeatedly shooting another after altercation
An altercation between two men led to one killing the other by shooting him numerous times, including as the victim lay on the ground after being shot in the back as he tried to run away, court records show.
The Austin Police Department arrested Joshua Trezaratti, 46, and charged him with killing Joshua Rivera, 28, on Oct. 24 at a home in the 11200 block of Mickelson Drive in Southeast Austin, according to a press release sent on Tuesday. Trezaratti has since been charged with murder, a first-degree felony.
Trezaratti told police he killed Rivera because he made previous sexual advances against Trezaratti's wife and touched her inappropriately the day of the shooting, according to a copy of the probable cause affidavit.
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Court records reveal that Trezaratti also told law enforcement that Rivera was the boyfriend of his step-daughter, and was often physically abusive toward her and that Rivera had threatened the family before. Trezaratti said they "feared what Rivera might do."
The affidavit states that Trezaratti told his wife to invite Rivera over to their house and trick him into believing that it would just be her and Rivera alone, despite Trezaratti and other people being present at the house.
Once at the house, Rivera began making sexual advances toward Trezaratti's wife, which Trezaratti viewed through a camera mounted outside, court records state. Rivera went inside to grab a beer, unaware that Trezaratti was in an office on the first floor of the home with his shotgun in hand. Rivera said he didn't feel welcome since Trezaratti's wife rejected his advances, according to documents.
Trezaratti's wife advised Rivera to go outside and smoke some PCP to calm down, which is when Trezaratti stepped outside with his shotgun pointed at Rivera and told him to "sit down" according to the affidavit.
A fight ensued, with Rivera grabbing the barrel of the shotgun and before Rivera began hitting Trezaratti in the face, court records state. Trezaratti then pulled out a pistol that was holstered on his hip and pointed it at Rivera's head.
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Records state that Rivera began to open a bag and that's when Trezaratti shot him twice, stating that he'd been told Rivera carried a pistol with him. Trezaratti told law enforcement that Rivera "turned around and tried to run," which is when Trezaratti shot him two or three more times in the back. Rivera "laid or fell down" and Trezaratti said he shot him "one or two more times."
Travis County Jail records indicate that Trezaratti is still behind bars, with his bond set at $800,000.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Affidavit: Man shoots, kills 1 after altercation in Southeast Austin
