Teen Fatally Shot In North Austin

NORTH AUSTIN, TX — A teenager was fatally shot on Tuesday night after what appears to be a botched drug transaction gone awry, police said.

In an advisory issued on Wednesday, police said they were dispatched to a Walgreens store parking lot at 12601 Tech Ridge Blvd. just after 8:40 p.m. where they found a young man suffering from a gunshot wound. The shooting victim was rushed to Dell Seton Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead just before 9:15 p.m., police said.

The dead 16-year-old was identified as Luke Kemper, according to police.

In their advisory, police said there was a delay in evidence collection — including identifying other people involved in the incident — after people who were with Kemper at the time of the shooting provided false information to officers. Police then turned to members of another group of people who were friends of the deceased in securing details on what had occurred.

"Based on information developed thus far, it appears this homicide may be related to the purchase of a small amount of marijuana," police wrote in their advisory. "There is no indication that there is an ongoing threat to the public."

The Travis County Medical Examiner’s office will conduct an autopsy to determine the official cause and manner of death, according to police.

Officials noted that a $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest. Detectives urge anyone with information to call them at (512) 974-TIPS (8477), email them at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, use the anonymous Crime Stoppers tip line at (512) 472-TIPS (8477) or use the Crime Stoppers App. Tips also can be submitted by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.