Austin Sees Tragic Homicide and Arrest in Domestic Violence Case
AUSTIN — A shocking incident occurred Monday morning when Sherles Gregorio Machado-Hernandez, age 31, was arrested and charged with capital murder related to the deaths of two individuals in southeast Austin. The tragic event has deeply impacted the community, with police and city officials expressing their concerns about domestic violence.
Victims Identified
During a news conference held on Tuesday, authorities revealed that the victims were identified as Francis Kaina Anseume Corredor, age 27, and Bryan Florentino Flores Alvarez, age 19. Machado-Hernandez was in a common-law marriage with Anseume, and the couple shared three children, aged 10, 4, and 2.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis spoke about the emotional toll this incident has taken, stating, “We have a coward who killed the mother of his children and left three children motherless.” The Chief highlighted how family violence can affect all levels of law enforcement, from patrol officers to homicide detectives.
Details of the Incident
The event began early Monday morning when police received a call about a shooting at an apartment complex located on Burton Drive in the Riverside neighborhood. Upon arrival, they found Anseume and Flores dead inside a vehicle, both apparently shot. Surveillance footage showed Machado-Hernandez arriving at the scene in the early hours, raising questions about how he knew the victims were there.
Investigators later disclosed that Flores was a resident of the apartment complex, further complicating the case.
Amber Alert Issued and Children Found Safe
As the investigation progressed, police discovered that the three children were unaccounted for and subsequently issued an Amber Alert around 4 p.m. on Monday afternoon. Less than an hour later, family members of the children contacted authorities to inform them that the children were safe and had been returned to them by Machado-Hernandez, who had dropped them off at a different location.
Detective Randy DeLuna emphasized that the department worked rigorously to secure the safety of the children, stating that they were missing from about 3:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. The police are still working to figure out how long Machado-Hernandez was with the children during this time. Currently, he faces charges only in connection with the capital murder case.
Authorities Track Down the Suspect
Following the Amber Alert, undercover officers were deployed to track multiple vehicles believed to be linked to Machado-Hernandez. As part of their efforts, they discovered that Machado-Hernandez was attempting to evade police by using altered license plates on one of the vehicles.
Eventually, police initiated a traffic stop after following the suspect’s vehicle to an apartment complex in Riverside. When they conducted the stop, they found Machado-Hernandez hiding in the back seat. His brother, who was driving the car, was also taken into custody but has not been charged.
Child Protective Services Involved
In the aftermath of the incident, Child Protective Services informed the Austin Police Department that they were already involved with a case concerning one of the children associated with Machado-Hernandez. A forensic interview was scheduled, indicating ongoing concerns about the children’s welfare.
Authorities revealed that prior to the incident, Machado-Hernandez had taken the children from their schools and recently provided a new address in Niederwald, near Kyle, where they all lived.
Community Response
The tragic deaths of Anseume and Flores have sparked a conversation about domestic violence in Austin. Many residents are left wondering how to address these deeply rooted issues and support families affected by violence.
As the investigation continues, police hope to ensure justice for the victims and safety for the children involved.
