AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department on Monday released police body camera footage and radio traffic audio from a shooting that happened in southwest Austin during a deadly rampage that began in San Antonio on Dec. 5.
Shane James Jr. is accused of killing his parents in San Antonio before moving on to Austin, where he allegedly killed Emmanuel Pop Ba, Sabrina Rahman, Katherine Short and Lauren Short.
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. In addition, he faces a felony aggravated assault mass shooting charge.
The APD body camera footage shows the police response to 5307 Austral Loop in Austin's Circle C neighborhood, after officers got a call about a burglary in progress. Fifty-six-year-old Katherine Short and 30-year-old Lauren Short were killed during the incident and an APD officer was injured.
(Warning: Videos contain images that some may find disturbing)
In the video, responding officer Det. Joseph Strother can be seen entering the backyard of the house and immediately taking fire. Strother, who has 12 years and two months of service with APD, returned fire in the direction of James. Strother suffered multiple gunshot wounds, but was able to move to the front of the house and away from gunfire.
Police said James was not struck by gunfire during the incident.
Officer Khistof Oborski was able to assist Strother by providing cover and first aid, before Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on the scene to provide medical assistance. APD also released footage from Oborski's body-worn camera, showing the officer help Strother take cover.
Per APD protocol, Strother has been placed on administrative leave.
Background on this case
Bexar County officials say the Dec. 5 shooting spree started in the San Antonio area. 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 around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, 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.
Just before 12 p.m., Austin police received multiple calls for help to a home off Shadywood Drive in South Austin. When officers arrived on the scene, they 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.
Police believe after that shooting, James headed further southwest, where he allegedly shot someone riding their bike on West Slaughter Lane just before 5 p.m. The cyclist called 911 themselves, and police said they should be able to recover from their injuries.
The next incident is when police were able to make first contact with James.
At around 6:45 p.m., APD officers got a call about a burglary in progress at 5307 Austral Loop in southwest Austin's Circle C neighborhood. 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 p.m.
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 p.m., 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.