What began as an urgent welfare check in East Austin on Jan. 31 ended with a deadly stabbing, a SWAT response, and now a murder charge. Officers found Robert Garcia bleeding and unconscious at 1054 Springdale Road and rushed him to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries on Feb. 4, according to Austin police. During that initial response, detectives and SWAT officers arrested a suspect identified as Raymond Ware, and officers later reported that Ware tried to flee while in custody at the department’s main station. The case is listed as 26-0311092 and is being investigated as Austin’s seventh homicide of 2026.
According to the Austin Police Department, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for murder on Tuesday, Feb. 10, after investigators determined Garcia had died from his injuries. In that update, APD said Ware was initially booked on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and confirmed that detectives and SWAT officers handled the arrest. The department also reiterated the case number and urged anyone with information to contact investigators.
Homicide Investigation at 1054 Springdale Road - https://t.co/iV9Wmt9aBk pic.twitter.com/e50cL6aP2d
— Austin Police Department (@Austin_Police) February 11, 2026
How police say the case unfolded
Officers were dispatched to the 1000 block of Springdale Road for an urgent welfare check on the night of the incident, and SWAT teams moved in to secure the area, as first reported in SWAT swarms East Austin block. The stretch of Springdale near Givens District Park mixes apartment complexes, small businesses, and public recreation space, and neighbors described a heavy police presence that night. Officials have said they will release additional details as the investigation continues.
Investigation and tips
Investigators asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Austin Police Department TIPS line at 512-974-TIPS or to submit an anonymous tip through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477, per the City of Austin. Detectives said they are collecting video from the area, taking witness statements, and following up on leads from interviews. Anyone with footage or information was asked to reach out so investigators can review potential evidence.
Legal status
Police have charged Ware with murder, and preliminary reports filed by investigators cited aggravated assault with a deadly weapon among the original counts. The case remains under investigation, and prosecutors are expected to review the evidence before any additional formal filings proceed. Authorities have not publicly released bond information or a court date.
What happens next
Homicide detectives say they will keep canvassing the neighborhood around Springdale Road and reviewing surveillance footage as they build their case. The department again encouraged anyone who has not yet spoken with investigators, but who may have seen or recorded something that night, to call the TIPS line or submit information online so detectives can follow up.
