Austin Family Seeks Justice After Son’s Tragic Shooting
AUSTIN, Texas – A family is heartbroken and seeking justice following the tragic shooting death of their 16-year-old son, Ahsun Madison, in North Austin last month. The suspect in this case, who is also 16 years old, has a criminal history and is now facing a first-degree murder charge. The family’s pain is palpable as they navigate this devastating loss.
A Painful Loss
Ahsun’s mother, Andrea Coleman, expressed her anguish over the situation. “I’m to pieces. How am I going to make it through this? Is this real? Is this a dream? Man,” she said. Her grief is a constant reminder of the love and life that has been taken from her family. “My God. It’s devastating,” she added, highlighting the deep emotional toll this tragedy has taken on them.
The Evening of Tragedy
On the evening of September 30, Ahsun left home, with his parents believing he was headed to Walmart. “He was coming to simply fight someone who has been bullying him for years,” Coleman said, noting that her son was targeted due to his sexuality.
His father, Devin Madison, spoke about Ahsun’s struggles and aspirations as a free-spirited young man who enjoyed arts and different interests. “He was in the midst of trying to find himself and just going through his emotions and stuff and just trying to figure out what he was, where he was going to go with it,” Coleman said.
A Tragic Encounter
On the night of the shooting, Ahsun visited the Pathways at Northgate Apartments. Unfortunately, during what was meant to be a confrontation, “he got shot, and he’s so little, in my heart, I knew right then my baby was not going to make it,” Coleman recalled. She stressed that her son did not carry any weapons and had nothing to protect himself.
A memorial now stands at the site where Ahsun lost his life, marking the beginning of a long journey for healing and justice for his family.
Details of the Investigation
The Austin police arrested a 16-year-old and charged him with first-degree murder. This suspect has a troubling history, being involved in previous shootings in the area, including a random killing of a 21-year-old earlier this year. Detective Nicholas Gebhart from the Austin Police Department noted, “During this investigation, I’ve been investigating several different juveniles, and there does seem to be a high amount of violent crime being committed by juveniles in that North Austin area.”
The suspect was reportedly out on probation at the time of Ahsun’s shooting. Coleman expressed her frustration with the legal system, asking, “How could a judge sign off on that?”
The Path Forward
Currently, the suspect is being held at the Gardner-Betts Juvenile Center and is going through the juvenile justice system. Carsten Andresen, a criminal justice professor, explained that some serious crimes could allow juveniles to be tried as adults, depending on the circumstances.
As the community and Ahsun’s family demand accountability, they mourn the loss of a young life that was full of potential. Coleman made a heart-wrenching statement: “He murdered my son. Look what he did before that as well. He should never be out of jail, ever.”
Conclusion
The grief-stricken family continues to seek justice for Ahsun Madison, whose dreams were cut short in a senseless act of violence. The case serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges and dangers faced by young people today.
