Austin’s Recent Arrest Linked to Waffle House Murder
AUSTIN — A significant development in a murder case from June has taken place with the arrest of a 17-year-old in northeast Austin. According to an arrest warrant affidavit, this teenager was taken into custody on Tuesday in connection with the shooting incident that occurred at the Waffle House located at 12304 Dessau Road.
This case stems from a tragic event when **Tyekeisha Lewis**, a 25-year-old woman, was shot and killed during an altercation between two groups of males. The Austin Police Department (APD) first responded to the scene following reports of gunfire, discovering that two individuals had been shot. Sadly, Tyekeisha did not survive her injuries, while the second victim was reported to be in stable condition shortly after the incident.
Details of the Incident
According to investigators, there was an argument going on between two groups near the Waffle House just before the shooting. In the chaos, one group allegedly opened fire and fled the scene, leaving both victims behind. The police launched an investigation immediately after and sought the public’s assistance in identifying any potential suspects.
As the investigation progressed, different tips were gathered, and police began interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses. This led to the identification of one of the suspects as **Jose Guadalupe Lopez Coyote**. He was arrested on charges of murder and appeared in the 331st District Court the following day.
Defense and Legal Proceedings
Jose’s attorney, **Charles F. Baird**, claimed in a statement that his client was not responsible for the death of Tyekeisha Lewis. Baird stated, “We learned there was a warrant for Jose’s arrest two weeks ago. At that time, we began working with law enforcement and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office for Jose to self-surrender, so he could post bail and the case could be resolved in a timely manner.” He expressed confidence in Jose’s eventual exoneration following a thorough investigation.
The online court records do not confirm if a bond amount has been set or whether Jose is still in jail. Despite this, witnesses indicated that Coyote was present at the Waffle House during the time of the murder, and some described him as one of the alleged perpetrators based on their observations.
Findings from the Investigation
Witnesses provided descriptions of the suspects, noting that they were wearing dark hoodies and mentioned seeing a black Dodge Durango SUV parked at the restaurant before the shooting occurred. Thanks to tips received by the police, they were able to locate the driver of the SUV, who admitted to being at the Waffle House during the incident but claimed they had left to dine at a restaurant along Interstate 35.
The police confirmed the driver’s account through restaurant security footage, which showed Coyote calling this driver shortly after the homicide took place. This footage further revealed Coyote alongside the suspected shooter, both wearing the same dark hoodies described by witnesses.
Community Reaction
The community remains shaken by the incident and the loss of Tyekeisha Lewis. Many citizens are looking for changes to improve safety in areas where violent incidents could occur, like crowded restaurants or bars. As the case continues to unfold, there is hope for justice for Tyekeisha and her family, alongside a growing desire for peace and safety within the neighborhood.
The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are dedicated to exploring all avenues to provide answers and secure justice for all parties involved.
For now, the community holds collective breaths as they wait for further developments in this case, as more information becomes available.
