AUSTIN, TEXAS – The Austin Police Department is investigating a homicide that unfolded Saturday evening in northeast Austin, after officers responded to multiple emergency calls reporting that a man had been shot. The incident, which occurred in the 11700 block of Timber Heights Drive near Horse Wagon Drive, has been classified as the city’s 37th homicide of 2026, according to department figures.

What happened on Timber Heights Drive?

According to authorities, several 911 callers reported around 5:35 p.m. that a person had been shot in the residential area near Horse Wagon Drive. Austin-Travis County EMS confirmed medics were dispatched to the scene for a patient suffering a gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they located an adult male victim and pronounced him deceased at the scene. His identity has not been released publicly, as authorities are withholding the name pending notification of next of kin.

Was a suspect identified?

Police say the individual believed responsible for the shooting had already left the location by the time officers arrived. A reverse 911 alert was issued to residents in the surrounding neighborhood, informing them of the active investigation and asking for caution while officers searched the area. Within about an hour, the suspect was located nearby and taken into custody for questioning. During a media briefing held near the scene, an Austin Police spokesperson said investigators believe the victim and the suspect knew each other, indicating the shooting was not a random act of violence directed at strangers in the neighborhood.

Is there an ongoing danger to the public?

Authorities stated there is no continuing threat to the surrounding community following the arrest. The reverse 911 shelter in place style alert issued Saturday evening was intended as a precaution while the suspect remained unaccounted for, and it was lifted once the individual was located and detained. Residents near Timber Heights Drive and Horse Wagon Drive were advised the scene had been secured as investigators processed evidence.

How common are homicides like this in Austin this year?

This case marks the 37th homicide recorded in Austin so far in 2026, a figure tracked by the police department as part of its ongoing public safety reporting. Cases involving people who knew one another, rather than incidents tied to strangers or random violence, have made up a portion of the city’s homicide investigations this year. Investigators have not released further details about the relationship between the victim and the suspect, nor have formal charges been announced as of Saturday night.

What happens next in the investigation?

Detectives with the Austin Police Department’s homicide unit are continuing to process the scene and gather evidence, including witness statements from residents in the area. The suspect remains in custody as questioning continues, though authorities have not confirmed whether formal charges have been filed. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to contact Austin Crime Stoppers or the department’s homicide tip line, both of which allow for anonymous reporting.

This story is ongoing. FOU News will continue to follow developments as authorities and the courts release new information.