Suspect accused in Austin and San Antonio shootings found unfit to stand trial

A Travis County judge has ruled that a man accused of killing six people in a series of shootings in Austin and San Antonio last December cannot stand trial.

Shane James, 35, allegedly killed his parents in San Antonio on Dec. 5 and then drove to Austin, where he shot and killed several people in a shooting spree across the city. Four people were killed in South Austin, including a mother defending her child, a contractor renovating a home, and a mother and daughter whose home James allegedly burglarized in Circle C. Two police officers and a cyclist were also wounded.

James tried escape from custody after his arrest.

Travis County District Attorney Jose Garza has charged him with four counts of capital murder. He faces another capital murder charge in Bexar County.

James, who served in the army for two years, has a history mental health problems and criminal history. He was arrested for assaulting family members in 2022 and was forcibly detained in Austin in 2018 after telling police he was contemplating suicide. Police were called to the family’s home in Bexar County in August 2023 after he had a mental health crisis.

After a mental health evaluation, Travis County Judge Cliff Brown ruled last week that James was unfit to stand trial, according to court records. He was forcibly placed in a government institution, according to State Lawand all proceedings are stayed until he is found mentally fit to stand trial.

KUT has reached out to the Travis County District Attorney’s Office about next steps but has not yet received a response.