Neighbors describe victims in 'grisly' San Antonio double homicide as 'beyond normal'

SAN ANTONIO — A “grisly” double homicide in eastern Bexar County is being investigated in connection with the three shootings in Austin that left multiple dead and two police officers injured Tuesday, according to Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar.

A man and a woman in their 50s were found dead in a residence near the 6400 block of Port Royal Street. Salazar said officials believe the man and the woman were killed before the series of shootings in Austin.

More: Rampage leaves multiple dead, injured in Austin, Bexar County shootings. Here's what we know

Austin officials believe that Shane James, 34, is responsible for the homicides and shootings in Austin, as well as the San Antonio-area double homicide.

Salazar identified the victims as Shane Matthew James Sr., 56, and Phyllis James, 55, the parents of the suspect. Salazar said they were killed sometime between 10 p.m. Monday and Tuesday morning.

The Austin Police Department communicated to Bexar County officials that the suspect in the Austin shooting rampage had connections to the residence on Port Royal Street.

Neighbors react to deaths of 'beyond normal' couple

Neighbors in the Port Royal Street cul-de-sac questioned by the American-Statesman said the two victims were quiet and orderly, keeping to themselves, and were not frequently seen outside their home, apart from when they walked their dog around the neighborhood.

One neighbor said she did not see or hear any disturbances on the street or the house next door until Bexar County detectives knocked on her door late Tuesday.

Michelle Coan said she has lived on Port Royal Street for over two decades. She recalled seeing Shane James Sr. and his son playing basketball on their driveway many years ago and called them “beyond normal,” noting their cul-de-sac is always very peaceful and quiet.

Coan said she frequently saw Shane James Sr. walking the family’s small white dog around the neighborhood in the early morning and evenings, frequently exchanging cordial remarks. She said Phyllis James would wave at her when they crossed paths on the street but was more reserved than the man.

“It's a weird sense of loss to lose your neighbors,” Coan said, adding that even though they weren’t close, she would miss seeing the couple walking the dog and knowing they were at home.

Background of Shane James

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 Army spokesperson Bryce S. Dubee. 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 on privacy considerations.

Salazar said a "domestic incident of some sort" led to James' discharge from the Army, adding that the sheriff's office was still working through those details.

James for a time lived in the Fort Worth-Dallas metroplex, public records show. In 2017, Fort Worth police arrested James — then living in Mansfield, where he held an insurance agent license — on suspicion of criminal trespassing at the Fort Worth Water Gardens, according to a police report.

In January 2022, Bexar County deputies arrested James — now living with his parents in their eastern Bexar County home — on suspicion of assault against his father, mother and a sibling, according to county records, charging him with three counts of misdemeanor assault against a family member.

The family, Salazar said, told law enforcement that James did not belong in jail, citing a history of mental health issues.

Bail reform advocacy group paid bond for suspect in 2022

That March, weeks after the arrest, a member of the Texas Organizing Project, an organization advocating for bail reform, bonded James out of jail. Within days, however, James removed his ankle monitor, Salazar said, leading to the issuance of a warrant for his arrest — which remained outstanding until his arrest Tuesday evening by Austin police.

In a lengthy statement, Daniel Barrera, a Texas Organizing Project spokesperson, said the organization was "profoundly saddened" and "deeply troubled" by the alleged actions of James. In early 2022, the organization paid James' bond fees, totaling $300, after a screening process aimed at determining who is eligible for the bail program.

"James was deemed eligible based on our criteria at the time. However, TOP has had no interaction with James since March 2022. We acknowledge that our assessments cannot anticipate the future actions of individuals," the statement reads. Barrera adds the organization planned to undergo an internal review of its program and processes in light of James' arrest.

Barrera did not immediately respond to an inquiry from the American-Statesman Wednesday evening.

Bexar County Criminal District Attorney Joe Gonzalez, who said the Texas Organizing Project supported him as a candidate for the office he now holds, said the organization's decisions to cover bonds — which are set by judges — are made on a case-by-case basis.

"We're talking about someone that was charged with a Class A misdemeanor assault, where the allegation is a pushing and scratching. There's there was no criminal history of this individual," said Gonzalez, fielding questions from the media. "So as bonds go and as risk goes, this was a low risk to that organization, and I suppose to the judge in determining whether to bond."

Bexar County deputies were again called to the Jameses' home in August 2023 after receiving a 911 call about a "mental health episode," Salazar said. After deputies arrived at the home, Salazar said, James' father was told by deputies about the warrants and their intent to make an arrest; however, they did not.

The deputies left, asking James' father to contact them if James exited his barricade room so they could return to take him into custody, Salazar said.

"I wish we would have been able to get him in custody. That being said, it's assuming a lot saying had they just arrested him that day, this wouldn't have happened," Salazar said. "Chances are, he would have already served his time and been out by this time anyway."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Two dead in San Antonio tied to fatal Austin shootings, officials say