Shane Matthew James Jr.

Shane Matthew James Jr. was a 34-year-old resident of San Antonio, Texas, at the time of the shootings in December 2023. He had a documented history of violence and mental health issues, and had previously served in the U.S. Army. According to available reports, James was discharged following a domestic violence incident in January 2022, for which he was arrested. He was released on bail thereafter.

By August 2023, concerns had escalated about his mental state. Police responded to a call reporting that James was suffering from a mental health episode, but ultimately chose not to detain him due to fears of a violent confrontation, despite active misdemeanor warrants.

James’s behavior and prior contacts with law enforcement suggested a pattern of instability, but no one predicted the scale or severity of the violence he would go on to commit. At the time of the shooting spree, he was believed to be estranged from his family and had limited public presence. His motives remain under investigation, with no manifesto or ideological reasoning provided.

On December 5, 2023, Shane Matthew James Jr. carried out a coordinated and deadly series of shootings in Central Texas, resulting in six deaths and at least three injuries across multiple locations in Austin and Bexar County. The rampage began in the late morning and extended into the evening hours.

The first known incident occurred around 10:40 a.m. CST when James shot and injured a school district police sergeant at Northeast Early College High School in Austin during the officer’s daily campus check. The attack caused the school to go into lockdown as additional officers arrived on scene.

At approximately 11:59 a.m., James committed a double homicide near Shadywood Lane in Austin. He shot a handyman while the victim was sitting in his vehicle, then fatally shot a woman who ran out to investigate. One victim died at the scene, the other later succumbed to injuries at a hospital.

Hours later, around 4:57 p.m., James shot a cyclist on West Slaughter Lane, inflicting non-life-threatening injuries. Just before 7:00 p.m., he attempted to burglarize a residence on Austral Loop. An Austin police officer responded and engaged James in a gunfight, during which both exchanged fire. The officer was shot and wounded but survived; James fled before backup could arrive. Police subsequently discovered two deceased victims inside the burglarized home—both fatally shot.

Meanwhile, law enforcement in Bexar County (San Antonio area) reported finding two additional murder victims inside a small room of a home connected to James. They were later identified as his parents, Phyllis James and Shane James Sr., linking him to six total murders across two counties in one day.

After fleeing the final Austin crime scene, James led police on a high-speed pursuit, reaching up to 90 mph in a stolen Acura. He crashed near FM 1826 and MoPac at approximately 7:14 p.m. and was taken into custody. Officers recovered a .45-caliber 1911 A1 pistol and several magazines from his person.

James was formally charged with four counts of capital murder in Austin and held without bond. Additional charges from Bexar County were expected. As of December 2023, he had not yet entered a plea. The case drew national attention due to the scope of the violence and the suspect’s background as a military veteran with known mental health issues.

In response to the killings, President Joe Biden called for stricter gun control laws, while Texas Governor Greg Abbott condemned the violence and praised law enforcement for the arrest.