City of Austin

Case:  26-0311092

Date:  Saturday, January 31, 2026   

Time:  6:46 p.m.

Location:  1054 Springdale Road

Victim (Deceased): Robert Garcia, Hispanic male, 01/10/1960

Suspect (Arrested): Raymond Ware, Black male, 38 years of age

On Saturday, January 31, 2026, at 6:46 p.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to an urgent welfare check at 1054 Springdale Road. A caller reported that an elderly man was on the ground, injured in front of an apartment. When officers arrived, they found a man lying on the ground, visibly injured. He was bleeding, unconscious, and appeared to have sustained significant trauma to his head. The victim was later identified as Robert Garcia and was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

APD officers confirmed that the suspect, later identified as Raymond Ware, was still inside a nearby apartment and attempted to persuade him to surrender. Ware refused to exit the apartment. In response, APD’s Aggravated Assault Detectives, crime scene specialists, and SWAT units responded to investigate and take custody of the suspect. The SWAT team successfully arrested Ware, who declined to provide a statement. While in custody at the APD main station, he attempted to escape.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Ware was at his residence when he confronted Mr. Garcia and violently assaulted him. He was arrested and initially charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

On February 4, 2026, Mr. Garcia succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased. An arrest warrant for Mr. Garcia's murder was obtained on February 10, and Raymond Ware has now also been charged with murder.

Anyone with information is asked to 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.  

This case is being investigated as Austin's 7th homicide of 2026.