Rampage leaves multiple dead, injured in Austin, San Antonio shootings. Here's what we know

Ryan Maxin, Austin American-Statesman
Updated ·3 min read
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A crime scene technician photographs a traffic accident in the intersection of FM 1826 and SH 45 not far from the shooting in the Circle C Ranch neighborhood in Southwest Austin on Tuesday December 5, 2023.

Austin police arrested 34-year-old Shane James on Tuesday in connection with a spate of shootings and homicides across Austin and San Antonio.

The violent, hours-long rampage left several injured and even more dead, according to police. Interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson said in a news briefing James was charged with capital murder and that additional charges are pending.

Here's what we know about the incidents Tuesday:

How many shootings were there?

Police have confirmed at least four separate shooting incidents Tuesday. Additional shootings tied to James' other alleged homicides are possible but have not yet been corroborated by Austin police.

More: Suspect identified in Austin shooting rampage that left 6 dead, 2 police officers injured

How many victims are there?

Police believe James killed six people and injured three more during his alleged rampage.

James is accused of shooting two police officers — including an officer on the campus of Northeast Early College High School, prompting lockdowns — and a bicyclist in Austin. All three suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were in stable condition, police and medics said.

Police also accused James of three separate double homicides, including one in San Antonio.

More: Police respond to possible double homicide in South Austin; suspect at large

There, police found a man and woman in their 50s dead inside a small room in a residence. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar said officials believe the man and the woman were killed before the series of shootings in Austin but did not fully understand James' connection to the residence.

Officials: Two bodies found in San Antonio home tied to fatal Austin shooting spree

Where did the violence occur in Austin?

At around 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, an Austin Independent School District police officer was shot in the leg near a field at Northeast Early College High School.

Around noon, police responded to the double homicide of a man and woman in the 7300 block of Shadywood Drive in South Austin.

Police received reports of a male cyclist being shot at 5701 W. Slaughter Lane shortly before 5 p.m.

Two hours later, police responded to a burglary in progress call in the 5300 block of Austral Loop and exchanged gunfire with James. Police later discovered two bodies inside the house.

Police in San Antonio discovered a man and woman in their 50s dead inside a small room of a residence in the 6000 block of Port Royal Street. They believe James is connected to the incident but have not released information on how they think he is connected to the residence.

What was the Shane James' background?

James was an infantry officer in the U.S. Army from February 2013 to August 2015. He had no deployments and separated from service Aug. 17, 2015, said Bryce S. Dubee, an Army spokesperson. His last rank was first lieutenant.

James did not serve for the entirety of his contract term. The circumstances of his departure are unclear. Dubee declined to disclose that information, citing Army policy around privacy considerations.

Staff writer Chase Rogers contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: What to know about the shootings, homicides in Austin, San Antonio