On Sunday, May 4, 2025, at approximately 6:41 a.m., officers from the Austin Police Department (APD) responded to reports of a shooting in the 5700 block of Hammermill Run. Upon arrival, they found a victim with gunshot wounds, later identified as Neithan Jadiel Montenegro. Despite attempts to save his life, Mr. Montenegro was pronounced dead at the scene at 7:08 a.m.
The APD’s Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists conducted an investigation and interviewed witnesses. Their preliminary findings indicated that Victor Javier Orellana-Carranza had come to the residence in search of his two-year-old son. The child’s mother resides there with her 17-year-old son. At the time of Orellana-Carranza’s arrival, she was present along with her son and Neithan Montenegro, who was a friend of her son.
Orellana-Carranza reportedly entered the residence and assaulted the mother. A physical altercation ensued when her son and Montenegro intervened. After making threats to return, Orellana-Carranza left but later came back armed with a firearm. He fired shots at both young men, striking Montenegro before fleeing.
Later that day, APD’s Tactical Intelligence Unit located Orellana-Carranza as he attempted to flee the country. Multiple APD units collaborated to apprehend him successfully.
Victor Javier Orellana-Carranza is now in custody at Travis County Jail on charges of first-degree murder.
The Austin Police Department urges anyone with information related to this case to contact them at 512-974-TIPS or submit tips anonymously via Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. Information leading to an arrest may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
This incident marks Austin’s 24th homicide for the year 2025.
