A normally quiet stretch of the Austin's Colony neighborhood was rocked early Saturday when gunfire and screams sent neighbors rushing to call 911. By the time deputies arrived, a man in his 40s lay fatally wounded inside a home, and another man, 47, was in handcuffs facing a murder charge. Officials say the shooting appears to be an isolated incident and that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
Deputies were dispatched around 3:29 a.m. to the 15100 block of Retha Pass, where they quickly detained a suspect at the scene, according to FOX 7 Austin. The outlet identified the suspect as 47-year-old Michael Scott Crawford and reported that he has been formally charged with murder. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene after deputies found him with apparent gunshot wounds.
The Travis County Sheriff's Office, through Senior Public Information Officer Kristen Dark, said investigators believe the people involved knew each other. Detectives remained on scene to process evidence and reconstruct what led up to the deadly encounter. Authorities are withholding the victim's identity until the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office completes a positive identification and next-of-kin notification. A possible motive has not been released.
Investigation and Next Steps
Homicide detectives are leading the investigation and will present the case to county prosecutors as it develops, FOX 7 Austin reported. Crawford is expected to be booked into the Travis County Jail and to make an initial court appearance, though any bond decision has not yet been made public. Officials are asking anyone with additional information to contact the Travis County Sheriff's Office.
What We Know So Far
Here are the confirmed details authorities have released:
- The shooting happened early on June 27 in the 15100 block of Retha Pass in the Austin's Colony neighborhood.
- Deputies detained 47-year-old Michael Scott Crawford at the scene and charged him with murder.
- The victim, a man in his 40s, was found with apparent gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at the home.
- Investigators say the people involved knew each other.
- The investigation remains active, with detectives still gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
