Case: 25-0340881
 
Date: Monday, February 3, 2025
 
Time: 3:09 p.m.
 
Location: 700 block of Azie Morton Road
 
Victim (Deceased): James Hough, White male, 07/18/1961

Suspect (Arrested): Arthur Robert Richter, White male, 43 years of age

On Monday, February 3, 2025, at approximately 3:09 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a disturbance in the 700 block of Azie Morton Road. When officers arrived on scene, they located the complainant, later identified as Arthur Richter. Mr. Richter told officers that an individual had displayed a firearm to him, and then proceeded to leave the area. At approximately 3:22 p.m., APD received multiple calls stating that a male had been “flung off the hood” of a car leaving the area. Officers arrived on scene, and located a male on the ground, who was later identified as James Hough. Mr. Hough sustained apparent trauma to his body from the fall off the car. Mr. Hough was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased at 4:36 p.m.

Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation showed that Mr. Richter had called in the initial disturbance against an individual who left prior to officer arrival. Mr. Richter stayed on scene, and later got into a second altercation with a separate individual, later identified as Mr. Hough. Mr. Richter assaulted Mr. Hough, took his cell phone, and returned to his vehicle. Mr. Hough then stood in front of Mr. Richter’s vehicle, and climbed onto the hood in an attempt to retrieve his phone. Mr. Richter drove out of the parking lot at a high rate of speed with Mr. Hough still on the hood of his car. Mr. Richter slammed the brakes, throwing Mr. Hough from the car, resulting in Mr. Hough striking the ground and ultimately causing his death. Mr. Richter left the area in his vehicle.

On Tuesday, February 4, 2025, a warrant was issued for Arthur Robert Richter for First Degree Murder. On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, Richter was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force in Temple, Texas for the murder.

Anyone with information should contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest. 

This case is being investigated as Austin's 5th homicide of 2025.