Early Sunday, tragedy unfolded on Austin's I-35 North as 47-year-old Edward Espino was found with a fatal gunshot wound after a car crash, according to a report by CBS Austin. Following the incident, Austin police are seeking help from the community to investigate what is being considered the city's ninth homicide of the year.
Emergency calls first came in around 3:36 a.m., when a stalled vehicle was reported, only for the situation to quickly escalate as Espino's Mitsubishi Mirage was struck from behind by a Ford Bronco. Espino was declared dead shortly after 4 a.m., and while the driver of the Bronco has cooperated and is not under suspicion for the homicide, and detectives believe road rage may have played a role, the shooter remains unidentified, CBS Austin detailed.
As stated by KXAN's coverage of a police briefing, investigators emphasize the need for any witnesses or those with relevant information to come forward. Describing the impact of such an event, Detective Chris Anderson told CBS Austin, "[Espino] is a member of the community. He's a son. He's a brother. He's a human... Anyone would want justice for their family."
Austin police, the responsibility now heavy upon their shoulders, are piecing together the circumstances that led to Espino's death on I-35. The investigation prompted the closure of northbound lanes of the highway for a period on Sunday to gather evidence, with traffic redirected to Braker Lane. Meanwhile, APD is asking people who may have seen vehicles involved in an altercation, or who heard shots to get in touch through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program – tips can be submitted anonymously, the police underscored.
