Scene of the tragic shooting that marked Austin's 70th homicide of the year.
Austin is shocked by its 70th homicide of the year after a tragic shooting on December 21, 2024. The victim, 34-year-old Mario Damian-Rayas, was found in a vehicle with fatal injuries. The police are actively investigating the incident and looking for a person of interest. The community is urged to provide any information that could assist in solving this case amidst rising concerns about public safety.
In a tragic turn of events, the city of Austin is reeling from a fatal shooting that claimed the life of a man on the evening of December 21, 2024. The scene unfolded in Southeast Austin around 9:25 p.m., specifically in the 2500 block of Huntwick Drive, close to the bustling intersections of East Oltorf Street and Pleasant Valley Road.
According to local authorities, the Austin Police Department received calls reporting gunshots in the vicinity. When officers arrived at the location, they made a grim discovery. Inside a vehicle, they found a Hispanic male in his 30s, later identified as 34-year-old Mario Damian-Rayas. He exhibited obvious signs of trauma, leading officers and emergency responders to swiftly attempt life-saving measures.
Despite the efforts of the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS, it was a tragic conclusion. Mario Damian-Rayas was pronounced dead at the scene just minutes later, at 9:32 p.m. The circumstances surrounding his death have left the community in shock, as this marks Austin’s 70th homicide of the year—a statistic that seems to paint a troubling picture for the city’s safety.
As of now, the Austin Police Department has yet to apprehend any suspects related to this incident. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities searching for any clues that may lead them to the person responsible for this senseless act of violence. While police do not currently have a suspect in custody, they emphasize that they believe this to be an isolated incident, assuring the public that there is no immediate threat to the community.
In an effort to gather more clues, the police have released a photo of a person of interest. This individual was last seen wearing a striking black, red, and white hat with a red rim, a gray Reebok sweatshirt, dark pants, and black and white Nike shoes. Authorities are hoping that someone in the community can shed light on the identity of this person or provide any additional information related to the shooting.
The Austin Police Department is keen on involving the public in this case and encourages anyone with tips or information to reach out to them. You can contact the APD’s Homicide Unit directly at 512-477-3588 or reach out to Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. If your tip leads to an arrest, you could be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.
The tragic loss of Mario Damian-Rayas has undoubtedly left a mark on the Southeast Austin community. Local residents are expressing their concerns and fears regarding safety as the investigation unfolds. While the police affirm that they are working diligently to solve this case, the reality of increased homicides can weigh heavily on any community.
As details come to light and the investigation continues, the hope remains that justice will be served and that the streets of Austin will be safer once again. In the meantime, residents are encouraged to keep their eyes and ears open, and to report any suspicious activity to help law enforcement keep the community safe.
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