The Austin Police Department (APD) has made public the body camera video capturing a Texas man's shooting spree that left six dead, including his own parents. The footage shows officers in a harrowing exchange of gunfire with the suspect in Southwest Austin on December 5. According to FOX 7 Austin, the suspect, Shane James Jr., is believed to have started his rampage in San Antonio before proceeding to Austin, where he killed four individuals and injured others.
On the evening of December 5, APD responded to a burglary-in-progress call at a home in the Circle C neighborhood, where they encountered James armed and at the backdoor. In the tense bodycam video, Officer Det. Joseph Strother can be seen entering into a firefight with James, sustaining multiple wounds, but being able to find refuge from the ongoing danger. In a follow-up release, KVUE reports that James, who was not hit during the altercation, fled the scene in a stolen vehicle after the shooting.
Police later discovered Katherine Short, 56, and Lauren Short, 30, shot dead inside the residence. The spree also claimed the lives of Emmanuel Pop Ba and Sabrina Rahman in South Austin earlier that day. Rahman was killed after witnessing the shooting of Pop Ba, with her baby almost caught in the crossfire. According to the APD, James is now facing charges that include four counts of capital murder and multiple assault charges related to the violence spanning from San Antonio to Austin.
The released bodycam footage not only shows Det. Strother's encounter but also captures Officer Khristof Oborski providing cover and first aid. Following protocol, Det. Strother is currently on administrative leave. APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson confirmed that after a car chase, James was arrested near SH 45 and FM 1826, further stating that he did have a gun on him. Investigations are ongoing as the community reels from the day's tragic events.
