Shane James Jr: Man who killed and injured several people in a shooting spree across Texas faces new charges
AUSTIN, TEXAS: The man who reportedly claimed the lives of several people and injured others in a shooting rampage across San Antonio and Austin is slapped with new charges, CBS News reports.
Shane James Jr is accused of gunning down his parents in San Antonio last Tuesday, December 5, before moving on to Austin, where he reportedly killed Emmanuel Pop Ba, Sabrina Rahman, Katherine Short and Lauren Short.
What are the new charges against Shane James Jr?
According to previous jail records, the suspect was already facing two capital murder charges and now he is facing four capital murder charges, plus two charges for felony Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant in connection with allegedly injuring officers with the Austin ISD Police Department and the Austin Police Department.
Besides, he also faces a felony Aggravated Assault Mass Shooting charge. James also faces three out-of-county misdemeanors, but the details of those charges are not reflected in the jail records. He is set to appear in court on January 18, 2024. The suspect is currently being held in the Travis County Jail. Bonds have been set for eight of the 10 charges he faces.
The 'grisly' crime carried out by Shane James Jr
According to Bexar County officials, the shooting spree started in the San Antonio area on December 5. Phyllis James and Shane James Sr were found dead 'wedged inside a very small room' in a home east of San Antonio. Sheriff Javier Salazar described the scene as 'grisly.'
Then at 10.45 am on Tuesday, December 5, investigators say James shot and injured an Austin ISD Police Department officer outside Northeast Early College High School on Berkman Drive in northeast Austin. Investigators said there was no interaction between the officer and James before the shooting.
Austin police received multiple calls for help
Austin police received multiple calls for help just before 12 pm to a home off Shadywood Drive in South Austin. Upon arrival, officers found a man and a woman with 'obvious signs of trauma' to their bodies. Those victims were later identified as 32-year-old Emmanuel Pop Ba and 24-year-old Sabrina Rahman.
Police said the suspect allegedly shot and killed Pop Ba while stealing his vehicle. Then, he turned his attention to Rahman, who witnessed the shooting, and he shot her, narrowly missing her baby who was in a stroller. He then left the scene in Pop Ba's vehicle, police said.
James headed further southwest after the shooting, where he allegedly shot someone riding their bike on West Slaughter Lane just before 5 pm. The cyclist called 911 themselves, and police said they should be able to recover from their injuries.
When did Shane James Jr shoot the officers?
APD officers got a call about an ongoing burglary at 5307 Austral Loop in southwest Austin's Circle C neighborhood at around 6.45 pm. Surveillance video showed James wearing a long-sleeved shirt, wielding a handgun and forcibly trying to kick down the back door of the residence. Officers arrived at the scene at 6.54 pm.
APD said when officers arrived, James began shooting at them. Officers returned fire but did not hit James. James then left the scene in a stolen car and was pursued by APD officers.
While James was pursued, a number of other officers entered the Austral Loop residence and located two women suffering from gunshot wounds. They were later identified as 56-year-old Katherine Short and 30-year-old Lauren Short. Officers attempted life-saving measures, but both women died on the scene.
At 6.55 pm, the officers on the scene called for backup, Austin-Travis County EMS medics and Austin Fire Department crews because an APD officer had been shot. That officer is going to be OK, according to APD.
Police chased James until he crashed his car near State Highway 45 and FM 1826. APD Interim Chief Robin Henderson said officers then took James into custody. He did have a gun on him.
