Homicide Investigation in the 1000 block of Springdale Road

Case: 26-2660151

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2026

Time: 3:01 a.m.

Location: 1000 block of Springdale Road

Victim (Deceased): Jacob Villanueva, Hispanic male, 5/11/1997

Suspect (arrested): Jorge Garza, Hispanic male, 17 years of age

On Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at approximately 3:01 a.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 1000 block of Springdale Road. APD officers, along with other first responders, arrived on scene and located a victim on the stairs inside an apartment with apparent gunshot wounds. The victim was identified as Jacob Villanueva. Villanueva was pronounced deceased on scene at 3:13 am.

Detectives from the Homicide Unit, and the Austin Forensic Science Crime Specialists, responded to process the crime scene. The investigation showed that the resident was involved in an altercation with her boyfriend, Jorge Garza. She then called her ex-boyfriend, Villanueva, who came to the residence and asked Garza to leave. Garza then shot Villanueva before leaving the scene in Villanueva’s vehicle.

On Friday September 25, 2026, members of the Lonestar Fugitive Task Force arrested Garza. He was then booked into the Travis County Jail for the charge of Murder and Unauthorized use of Motor Vehicle.
 
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or call 512-472-8477.
 
This case is being investigated as Austin's 42nd homicide of 2026.