Christopher Bowser, 23, was shot on the evening of May 2, 2021, in the 600 block of Neches Street in Austin. He was taken to Dell Seton Medical Center and underwent surgery, but was pronounced dead the next day. The Travis County Medical Examiner ruled the cause of death a gunshot wound and classified the manner as homicide.

Austin Police identified 56-year-old Blake Washington as the suspect. Detectives say video footage of the shooting led them to a tent on 4th Street and Interstate 35, where Washington was located and detained. Washington was initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; after Bowser’s death the charge was elevated to first-degree murder.

The shooting prompted renewed attention to gun violence in Austin. If anyone witnessed the incident or has additional information about what happened on Neches Street that night, please share tips with the Austin Police Department.