Stephen Mark Peterman, 49, was shot and killed in the pre-dawn hours of May 20, 2024, while walking his dog near his northwest Austin home on Amarillo Avenue. He was found unresponsive in the street with multiple gunshot wounds and pronounced dead at the scene. Neighbors’ surveillance recorded six gunshots and a red hatchback fleeing; six .45-caliber shell casings were recovered nearby and Peterman’s work truck was found with a shattered window.

Investigators say Peterman, a retired U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sergeant and Texas Gas Service employee, likely interrupted a burglary of his work vehicle. A 36-year-old man from San Antonio was arrested later that day in connection with the shooting and charged with murder after forensic analysis linked a palm print to the truck. Peterman, born October 13, 1974, served in Kosovo and Iraq, cared for local wildlife, and is survived by his wife Nonna and their young son. Funeral services were held June 3, 2024, with burial at Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery.

Anyone who knew Stephen or who has information about what happened that morning is asked to come forward.