A 16-year-old Kyle teen is facing an aggravated assault charge after police say he followed another teen home and opened fire, sending rounds into a neighborhood where people were inside. No injuries were reported, but bullets were later found in occupied and unoccupied homes near the shooting scene.
The charge became public Friday, more than a month after the June 29 incident. According to Hays Free Press, Kyle police said the juvenile allegedly followed the victim to a home in the 400 block of Philomena Drive at about 9:30 p.m. and fired multiple rounds.
Police Used Video And License-Plate Data
Detectives identified the juvenile suspect through witness statements, video evidence and automated license plate reader technology used to locate the vehicle believed to be connected to the shooting. Kyle Police Department’s published policy says its license-plate reader system is intended to help identify vehicles tied to legitimate investigations, with searches requiring a case number and investigative reason.
The investigative tools gave police several ways to connect the vehicle and the alleged shooter to the scene, even though no one was reported injured. The discovery of bullets in nearby homes widened the potential danger beyond the teen who was allegedly targeted.
What The Aggravated Assault Charge Means
Under Texas Penal Code Section 22.02, aggravated assault includes an assault involving serious bodily injury or the use or exhibition of a deadly weapon, and is generally classified as a second-degree felony under the adult statute. The charge is an allegation, not a conviction.
Hays Free Press reported that the Kyle Police Department did not announce additional charges or provide a court date in its initial release. The department said it remains focused on holding violent offenders accountable and protecting community safety.
