The Austin Police Department (APD) has apprehended two individuals tied to a shooting incident that took place earlier this year at Lakeline Mall. The January 2nd event had initially left local law enforcement scratching their heads as to the whereabouts of the suspects and the status of the victim, who, only after a delay, sought out medical treatment for minor injuries. According to a press release by APD, the two suspects were arrested on April 2, ending a months-long investigation that followed the publicized incident.
In custody are a juvenile male, whose identity is shielded due to his minor status, and 20-year-old Yaneth Medina. The male suspect is now faced with charges of Aggravated Assault and one count of Deadly Conduct. He is being held at the Williamson County Juvenile Detention Facility. Medina was arrested on counts of tampering with Evidence, a third-degree felony, and is currently at Travis County Jail. The APD continues to lean on the community for any additional information, reminding that tips may be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program. Individuals coming forward with information leading to an arrest might find themselves eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
The APD's investigation was catalyzed by the incident on January 2, which happened around 3:55 p.m. inside the popular shopping center located at the 11200 block of Lakeline Mall Drive. Initial reports struggled to establish the facts—there was neither a clear suspect in sight nor a known victim, as the parties involved had vacated the scene. It was "later determined that the victim sustained minor injuries and self-reported to the hospital after leaving the scene," as outlined in the APD release.
A description of the at-large suspect was circulated by the APD, specifying a Hispanic male in his late teens to early 20s garbed in a black hoodie, dark pants, and dark shoes. Yaneth Medina, however, has since been apprehended and held responsible for tampering with evidence related to a case. APD's plea for public assistance has not waned, and anyone with videos, photos, or information pertaining to the case is urged to come forward. The department has provided a QR code to simplify the process of submitting any digital evidence that could aid in the ongoing investigation.
For more information on the case or to provide tips, interested individuals may reach out directly to APD's Aggravated Assault Unit or submit through CrimeStoppers.
