Case:  25-1171604
 
Date:  Sunday, April 27, 2025
 
Time:  10:16 p.m.
 
Location:  2724 Philomena Street
 
Victim (Deceased):  Samantha Fernandez, Hispanic female, 8/05/2002
 
Suspect (Arrested):  Gonzalo Mendoza-Gonzalez, Hispanic male, 22 years of age

On Sunday, April 27, 2025, at approximately 10:16 p.m., Austin 9-1-1 received multiple calls that reported a shooting at 2724 Philomena Street. Austin Police Department (APD) officers arrived at the scene and located an unresponsive female, later identified as Samantha Fernandez, with an apparent gunshot wound on the ground in the parking lot. Ms. Fernandez was pronounced deceased on scene at 10:42 p.m.
 
Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to process the scene and interview witnesses. The investigation showed that a pickup truck pulled into the parking lot and the victim came down to meet them. An occupant of the truck, later identified as Gonzalo Mendoza-Gonzalez, shot and killed Fernandez before the truck left the scene. The truck broke down in Kerrville, Texas, and ultimately Mendoza-Gonzalez was taken into custody.
 
Mendoza-Gonzalez is being charged with the 1st Degree Murder of Samantha Fernandez.

This is an ongoing investigation, and no further details are available for release at this time.
 
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.
 
This case is being investigated as Austin's 21st homicide of 2025.