Texas shooting spree: Young mother and handyman named among six victims in Austin

Shane James, 34, arrested on capital murder charges on Tuesday

Texas shooting spree: 6 dead, 2 officers hurt

A complex investigation has been launched after six people were found dead across two major cities in Texas.

Suspect Shane James, 34, was arrested on Tuesday and charged with capital murder charges in connection with the deaths of four people in Austin. James is also accused of killing his parents Phyllis James, 55, and Shane Matthew James Sr, 56 at their home in San Antonio.

Police identified two of the victims killed in Austin as 24-year-old Sabrina Rahman and Emmanuel Pop Ba, 32.

A friend of Pop Ba told The Austin-American Stateman that he was sitting inside a car when the gunman opened fire on him. Pop Ba was helping that friend move to their new home.

Rahman’s uncle Marshall Hussain also told the outlet that his niece was struck by gunfire as she was walking her baby in a stroller.

“She did her last act to push the child away,” Mr Hussain said.

James, who has a history of mental health issues and was discharged from the Army due to a domestic violence incident, was taken into custody after crashing his car while fleeing police following a shootout with an officer who suffered multiple gunshot wounds.

Key points

• Victims in Bexar County are suspect’s parents
• Suspect identified after six people killed in multi-city Texas ‘shooting spree’
• Shane James had history of mental health issues, police say

[8 December 2023 14:00 · Andrea Blanco]

Suspect struggled with mental health issues, police say

In August, deputies responded to a mental health call at the James’ home.

The suspect was naked and having a mental health episode but was not arrested despite his three outstanding misdemeanours because the deputies were not allowed to force entry into his room. James barricaded inside his upstairs bedroom and used racial slurs as he confronted deputies trying to de-escalate the situation, Sheriff Salazar said.

The deputies left after James Sr promised to give them a call once his son left the room. Sheriff Salazar said that the father never did so.

The sheriff said his department is investigating how James, who was unmedicated at the time of the attack, gained access to a weapon.