A late-morning vehicle repossession at a Manor apartment complex turned into a shooting Tuesday, after a teenager was caught on surveillance video firing at a repo driver in the parking lot of the View at Manor Crossings apartments, according to police. The repossession agent was not injured, but officers said they recovered multiple shell casings at the scene just before 11 a.m.
Responding officers were called to the complex on FM 973 for reports of shots fired. At the scene, they found several spent casings and reviewed surveillance footage that, authorities said, confirmed a shooting had taken place. The repossession worker told police a man sprinted through the parking lot, exited through a gate, and fired at him as the vehicle was being driven away, as reported by MyTexasDaily.
"I’m sure a lot of people were startled by, you know, what was occurring in broad daylight in front of everybody," Manor Police Chief Ryan Phipps told FOX 7 Austin. He said the video reviewed by investigators shows the gate opening, the repossession driver pulling the vehicle through, and the suspect chasing after it while firing several rounds.
Police identified the suspect as Derion Lyles, listed in local reporting as 19 years old, and said he was taken into custody at the scene. According to authorities, Lyles was charged with deadly conduct and unlawful carrying of a weapon and transported to the county jail. Those charging details were provided to reporters by Manor police and published in local coverage.
Rifle seized, traced to Alabama
Officers said they seized an AR-style rifle they believe was used in the shooting, and checks of the gun’s serial number tied it to a burglary investigation in Alabama, according to police statements to the media. Investigators recovered the weapon along with several shell casings in the View at Manor Crossings parking lot, and officials said the repossession driver was not physically hurt during the incident, as reported by FOX 7 Austin.
Charges and legal context
Prosecutors charged Lyles with deadly conduct and unlawful carrying of a weapon. Under Texas law, deadly conduct is elevated to a third-degree felony when a person is accused of knowingly discharging a firearm at or in the direction of a vehicle. That classification is outlined in Texas Penal Code §22.05, while Chapter 46 of the code governs weapon offenses. Taken together, those statutes mean the accused could face prison time if convicted on the higher-level firearm-related count.
Investigation continuing
Manor police said the investigation is still active and that additional charges could follow as detectives track down leads and continue examining video evidence. Authorities are asking anyone who may have witnessed the shooting or captured footage in or around the complex to contact the Manor Police Department to assist with the ongoing investigation.
