Austin reeled from the violence as a teen's life was cut short, and two others tragically lost in separate incidents, police scrambling to piece together the events of those fated gatherings. According to CBS Austin, 16-year-old Patrick Valadez was fatally shot at an East Austin party on Nov. 25. The Austin Police Department, also responding to the situation at the 2500 block of Sol Wilson Avenue, found another man with multiple gunshot wounds who currently remains hospitalized in stable condition.
Detectives working on the case believe the suspect, who is still at large, was an unwelcome guest asked to leave the party before opening fire in the front yard. A hasty getaway in a vehicle marked the end of the tragic episode, escalating Austin's homicide count to 64 for the year 2023. In a bid to catch the elusive perpetrator, the police plead with the public for information, offering up to $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest, through the APD's Homicide Unit at 512-974-TIPS, or tips can be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers.
In a separate, equally heartbreaking case, an update from Austin authorities shed light on another tragedy where Catherine Short and Lauren Short were identified as the deceased victims of the critical incident that occurred in the 5300 block of Austral Loop. The details remain scant, but the arrest affidavit has been filed and can be accessed via the Travis County Clerk’s Office.
The Austin Police Department encourages anyone with knowledge of either case to come forward.
