The Austin Police Department continues its manhunt for a suspect deemed "armed and dangerous" following a fatal shooting that occurred in North Austin on July 10. According to KXAN, officers responded to the 8500 block of Dryfield Drive at approximately 3:35 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered a man suffering from trauma who was pronounced dead at the scene.
The suspect, as described by APD Senior Officer Wesley Belcher and relayed by KXAN, is a Black man with short, black hair and a muscular build. He was last spotted around the 1200 block of Larkspur Road wearing a black shirt and pants. As the investigation unfolded, an APD helicopter assisted in setting up a perimeter in an attempt to locate the suspect, who remains at large. Residents in the area were alerted via phone to be cautious and to avoid the vicinity if possible.
Additional reports from FOX 7 Austin confirm the incident, specifying the location as near Clearfield Drive and Beech Drive. The nature of the victim's trauma has not been detailed, beyond the fatal consequence it wrought. This event is believed to be isolated, indicating no immediate additional threat to the community at large, police said. In the midst of APD's intensive search efforts, the local community has expressed concern. "On one of the side streets I went down, there was a police officer that waved me off and he actually had a rifle," Glen Knipstein, a local resident, told KXAN. Knipstein recounted the presence of heavy police activity and how it has affected his sense of security, stating, "It’s kind of a little scary that it’s taking place behind my house. Make sure my back doors were locked and everything’s locked up."
