On February 9, 2021, Austin Police Department (APD) Homicide and Aggravated Assault Detectives arrested 21-year-old Manuel Huerta and 33-year-old Jonathan Zavala for murder. They have also been identified as two of the suspects involved in the aggravated assault investigations listed below. There is information to believe that there are additional subjects who are associated with Huerta and Zavala, who may have been involved or know more about these incidents. Anyone with information regarding these incidents is asked to contact Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS(8477).

Over the last several months, two homicides, several shootings and numerous gun-related incidents occurring in South Austin have been reported to APD. These incidents all involved a description of young men in a white or gray sedan, driving aggressively and attempting to engage the victims in a road rage type of incident. In all of the cases, the suspects were unknown to the victims, and the suspects displayed a handgun in a threatening manner, and in some cases fired at the victims.

APD’s Homicide and Aggravated Assault Units, assisted by Crime Analysis and multiple support units, have been working tirelessly to identify the suspects involved, as well as the vehicles they were using. Over the course of this extensive investigation, detectives were able to identify multiple stolen vehicles involved, as well as a small group of individuals responsible.

APD is asking for the public’s assistance with information regarding any of the incidents listed below:

• 09-23-20 in the 2400 block of W Stassney Ln. Case# 20-2671362
  Suspect in white Honda sedan was swerving and driving recklessly behind victim’s vehicle. Suspect followed victim further and fired two shots from the sunroof toward victim.​

• 10-10-20 in the 2400 block of E Riverside Dr. Case# 20-2840751
  Suspect in white Honda sedan cut complainant off for no reason and displayed handgun at them in a threatening manner.
   
• 11-25-20 in the 4400 block of E Riverside Dr. Case# 20-3301325
  Suspect in white Honda sedan began driving aggressively and followed victim from Oltorf to Riverside where several shots were fired resulting in homicide. 
   
• 11-26-20 in the 2400 block of Grove Blvd. Case# 20-3310753
  Suspect in white Honda stopped next to victim on Grove near Riverside and began to rev the engine. A Hispanic male exited vehicle and fired multiple rounds into the driver’s seat area. Victim was shot and received non-life-threatening injuries.
   
• 11-26-20 in the 6200 block of Clovis St. Case# 20-3310864
  Two construction workers were working on a rooftop when they were shot at by white sedan.
   
• 12-22-20 in the 2400 block of Spirit of Texas Dr. Case# 20-3571420
  Suspect in gray sedan engaged in aggressive driving and followed victim, shooting into her vehicle. Victim received serious injuries but survived.
   
• 12-24-20 in the 3800 block of Promontory Point Dr. Case# 20-3650777
  Suspect displayed gun in threatening manner toward employees of restaurant.
   
• 12-26-20 near the intersection of E St. Elmo/S Pleasant Valley Case# 20-3610995
  Suspects in gray sedan engaged in aggressive driving with victims, followed them and fired multiple rounds – resulting in a homicide.

Throughout the course of this investigation, the APD Homicide and Aggravated Assault Units worked in conjunction with several additional support units and additional law enforcement agencies as this group of individuals were responsible for various crimes in multiple jurisdictions. Additional agencies involved in this investigation include the Violent Crimes Task Force, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, the Hays County Sherriff’s Office and New Braunfels Police Department.