North Austin News

The Austin Police Department (APD) held a press conference to update the public on the incidents that occurred on December 5, 2023. Interim Chief Robin Henderson expressed her condolences to the families of the victims and commended the officers and the department as a whole for their swift and collaborative efforts in responding to the events.

Chief Henderson stated, "I want to give my condolences to the families of the victims, and I want to thank all our heroes who put their lives on the line every single day to keep our community safe. I cannot be more proud of our officers and our department as a whole. Providing the timeline and details of the horrific incidents of December 5 illustrates how each APD unit, and our public safety partners, worked swiftly and collaboratively to identify the suspect and take him into custody. Even in the midst of our staffing crisis, our officers were committed to providing the highest level of professional work our Austin community deserves."

During the press conference, it was revealed that Shane James is facing several charges related to the incidents that took place on December 5. The charges include Capital Murder of Emmanuel Pop Ba, Capital Murder of Sabrina Rahman, Capital Murder of Katherine Short, Capital Murder of Lauren Short, Aggravated Assault against a Public Servant in the Austin Independent School District, Aggravated Assault against a Public Servant in the APD, and Aggravated Assault against a cyclist.

AISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed also expressed his gratitude to the officers who risk their lives every day to protect their communities. He said, "I want to thank those heroes as the police officers who make the ultimate sacrifice and place their lives in harm's way each day to protect their communities. My thoughts, prayers, and condolences are with those officers and those families who experienced and suffered pain or losses."

The APD's press conference provided the public with an update on the incidents that occurred on December 5, 2023. The department praised the collaborative efforts of their units and public safety partners in swiftly identifying the suspect and taking him into custody. The charges against Shane James, including multiple counts of Capital Murder and Aggravated Assault, highlight the severity of the crimes committed.

The dedication and professionalism of the officers involved in these cases were commended by both Interim Chief Robin Henderson and AISD Police Chief Wayne Sneed. Their gratitude and condolences were extended to the families of the victims and to those who have suffered losses as a result of these tragic events.

The APD's commitment to providing the highest level of service to the Austin community was evident throughout the press conference. Despite the ongoing staffing crisis, the officers remained steadfast in their duty to protect and serve.

The department's efforts to ensure transparency and keep the public informed are commendable. The slides presented during the press conference are available for media reference, allowing for a better understanding of the timeline and details of the incidents.

As the investigation continues, the Austin Police Department remains dedicated to upholding the safety and well-being of the community. The support and cooperation of the public are vital in maintaining a secure environment for all residents.

For additional details, please follow this link: https://www.austintexas.gov/news/apd-provides-update-incidents-took-place-december-5-2023