Austin police have apprehended a suspect connected to the fatal shooting that occurred on Nov. 7 outside the Texas Health and Human Services Building, CBS Austin reports. The victim, identified as Shelby Wayne Cody, 33, was shot multiple times around 5:50 p.m., where it is reported that anger management classes were taking place.
Lavonta Harrison was taken into custody on Nov. 12 following a parole violation and has now been charged with first-degree murder as per the information provided by Austin Police Detective Patrick Reed. When the shooting happened, witnesses jumped into action, attempting life-saving procedures before police arrived at the scene merely two minutes after the initial emergency call. Cody, however, succumbed to his injuries – having been shot in the leg and stomach, dying at a local hospital at 6:35 p.m., CBS Austin detailed.
According to Detective Reed’s statement obtained by HeadTopics, “Based on talking with witnesses and the crime scene analysis, we don't believe that Mr. Harrison was targeting anyone other than Shelby.” Further revealing the vital contribution of those present during the incident, Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald acknowledged the critical role of the witnesses, stating, "played a major role in us being able to make an arrest and bring this to a resolution so quickly" as obtained by HeadTopics.
This incident has been marked as Austin's 57th homicide in 2024. In the wake of the shooting, the building staff adhered strictly to safety protocols by locking down the facility until the authorities arrived, a move that, perhaps preserved the integrity of the scene, and prevented any further violence.
