Drug Deal Leads To Fatal Shooting At South Austin Homeless Camp

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Wednesday said they are seeking a suspect in a shooting at a homeless encampment that occurred during a drug deal last last month, leaving one man dead and another injured.

The incident occurred on Oct. 26 just before 3 a.m. along the 2400 block of East Riverside Drive, police wrote in an advisory. According to police, multiple calls were received alerting to multiple shots fired at an encampment site where officers learned is a site for drug transactions.

Upon arrival, police said in their advisory, officers found two men standing in a median while suffering from gunshot wounds. Both shooting victims where transported to Dell Seton Medical Center, where Xavier McLemore, 34, succumbed to his injuries at around 3:36 a.m., according to the police report.

Police said the shooting was culmination of a disagreement over drugs, and suspect has yet to be identified. A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect, police added.

Those with information on the incident or cell phone footage are urged to contact detectives by calling (512) 974-TIPS, emailing homicide.apd@austintexas.gov or utilizing the Crime Stoppers tip line at (512) 472-8477 (TIPS), or via the Crime Stoppers app. Police stressed that those with information have the option of remaining anonymous. Tips also can be submitted by downloading the police department's mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.