Austin Police Seek Help Solving Homicide Cold Case

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Police Department is asking for the public's help in solving a cold case involving the death of a man whose body was found riddled with bullets nearly four years ago in Southeast Austin.

The incident dates to March 15, 2017, at 12:45 p.m. along the 6400 block of Springdale Road, according to a police advisory. Officers responded to multiple reports of gunfire at an apartment complex, during which time one of the responding officers was flagged down and directed to a man lying in the second-floor breezeway of the three-building complex, law enforcement officials said.

The man, identified as 21-year-old Ruler Stefon Matthew Bailey had been shot multiple times, according to the police account. Police said another male was kneeling beside Bailey, talking to him and attempting to provide emergency medical aid. Bailey was transported to University Medical Center at Brackenridge Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased at 1:28 p.m.

As officers secured the scene and detectives joined crime scene personnel in processing the area, a number of witnesses confirmed there had been a loud argument in the building involving several individuals just prior to the shooting, police said in an advisory. A sedan and newer-model gray van were spotted speeding out of the complex immediately following the gunfire, police added.

According to the advisory, the Austin Police Department investigators have followed up on all available information during this ongoing investigation. At the time of their advisory on Wednesday, police added, "...every known lead has been exhausted."

As a result, those with information are asked to reach out to detectives. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-TIPS (8477) or use the Crime Stoppers App. Crime Stoppers may offer a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest, police added. Individuals may also contact the police department's Cold Case-Homicide Unit at: apdcoldcasemissingpersons@austintexas.gov or (512) 974-5250 or submit tips by downloading the police department's mobile app, Austin PD, for free on iPhone and Android.

"Ruler Bailey’s family describes him as having been a funny, kind-hearted person who liked to keep people smiling," police added in their advisory. "He was happiest when he was making music and planned to go to business school and then open his own studio."