TRAVIS COUNTY, Texas — Shane James Jr. was arrested on Tuesday as the main suspect in the deadly shooting spree that took place between San Antonio and Austin, where six people were killed and several others were injured.
The very next day, court records reveal, he tried to escape the Travis County jail in Austin. According to an affidavit, It was reported that Travis County deputies "had to use force to subdue James" and get him back in custody.
The initial arrest happened on Tuesday after Austin police responded to a burglary. Upon arrival, James allegedly fired shots at the officers before taking off in his vehicle. Police chased James until he crashed his car near State Highway 45 and FM 1826. James was taken into custody.
While police were chasing James, other officers came across two people that were dead at the scene of the burglary.
Also on Tuesday, Bexar County deputies found James' mother and father dead in the 6000 block of Port Royal after they forced their way in to the home around 7:45 p.m. This led Austin police to believe that the series of Tuesday shootings may all be connected.
This isn't James' first run-in with the law as he was arrested back in 2022 on a domestic domestic violence charge. He was released on bond before officials said he cut off his ankle monitor the very next day, violating the conditions of his release.
This shooting spree caught the nation's attention, drawing comments from national and state leaders like President Biden and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.