(StraightNews.org) – A man with a record of domestic violence went on a killing spree in Texas before attempting to escape from custody. Shane James Jr. allegedly killed his parents at their home in San Antonio before going on to shoot four more people in Austin between December 4 and 5. Prosecutors have charged him with capital murder.
The episode began on December 4 when the bodies of Phyllis James and Shane James Sr. were found shot to death in their San Antonio home. Later that day, the Austin Police Department received a call that a school district police officer was shot near the Northeast Early College High School in the north of the city. The officer survived the incident.
On Tuesday morning, December 6, a man and a woman were shot dead in south Austin, and a male cyclist was shot but survived. The same day, police were called to a suspected burglary, where they allegedly found Mr. James, who “immediately opened fire.” One police officer was seriously wounded, and two further bodies were located inside the home. A car chase ensued involving James and Austin police, and ended when the suspect crashed his car.
After his arrest, James made a daring dash for freedom and tried to escape from Travis County Jail. Kristen Dark, Travis County Sheriff’s Office’s public information officer, said that on the night of December 6, James pushed his way past a corrections officer and “ran into the hallway.” Officers quickly detained him without further incident, she said.
Records reveal that Mr. James has a history of domestic violence – involving attacks against his parents – and was released from Bexar County Jail in March 2022. In August this year, officers responded to a “mental health” incident but “left the residence without taking him into custody on the misdemeanor warrants to avoid a potential violent confrontation.” James was wanted for removing an ankle monitor a day after his release from Bexar County.
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