Car Club Member Who Shot Gun Into The Air Sought By Police

AUSTIN, TX — The Austin Police Department seeks help from the public in identifying a suspect involved in a deadly conduct incident after he fired a gun into the air amid a fight among car club members in North Austin last month.

The incident occurred on Saturday, Sept. 12, at around 11:15 p.m. in a parking lot along the 12425 North Interstate 35. According to a police advisory, a fight broke out among several people in the parking lot where car club members had gathered. During the altercation, police added, a man fired a gun into the air — prompting many of those gathered to flee on foot and in their vehicles.

Police noted the incident occurred during a multi-agency police operation investigating illegal activity associated with the car club in question that had been meeting on the property since the start of summer. After hearing the gunshot, law enforcement officials "...swarmed in as quickly as possible to secure the area," police wrote.

Related story: Austin Police Crack Down On 'Dangerous' Car Club Gatherings

But by the time they arrived, police suggested, the suspect was nowhere to be found. Given his absence, police issued a description of the incident as well as surveillance camera still images of the man being sought. He is described as Black or Hispanic with a stocky build, and was last seen wearing a red sweatshirt, gray Nike shorts with “swoosh” symbol on the left leg and possibly dark-colored sneakers.

Images provided by Austin Police Department.

In its advisory, the police department reminded that shooting a gun into the air within the city limits is a Class C misdemeanor, but doing so in a crowded space is a third degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Detectives urge anyone with information on this case to call Capital Area Crime Stoppers at (512) 472-TIPS (8477) or visit the website at www.austincrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via the web or mobile app. Police stressed that those submitting tips have the option of remaining anonymous, and may be eligible for a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.