Homicide Investigation at 1515 Royal Crest Drive

Case: 26-1130295

Date: Thursday, April 23, 2026                 

Time: 7:21 a.m.

Location: 1515 Royal Crest Drive (Mia Apartments)

Deceased victim: Gabriel Tarantino, White male, 03/21/2000

Arrested suspect: Crox Quintanilla Jr., White male, 35 years of age

On Thursday, April 23, 2026, at 7:21 a.m., Austin Police (APD) officers responded to a Check Welfare call at the Mia Apartments located at 1515 Royal Crest Drive. The caller advised of a male face down in the parking lot who was not breathing. When officers arrived on the scene, they located a subject, later identified as Gabriel Tarantino, with apparent trauma to his body. Austin Fire (AFD) and Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) attempted life saving measures, but Mr. Tarantino was ultimately pronounced deceased on scene. Officers located a blood trail and followed it to a nearby apartment where blood was located on the exterior door. Officers made entry into the apartment to ensure no one else was injured. Crox Quintanilla Jr. and a female were located inside the apartment and detained. 

Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists responded to the scene. The investigation showed there had been a physical disturbance between Mr. Tarantino and Crox Quintanilla inside the apartment. Quintanilla stabbed Mr. Tarantino before he was able to exit the apartment into the parking lot, where he later succumbed to his injuries. 

Quintanilla was arrested and charged with First Degree 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 21st homicide of 2026.