Date:                               Sunday, January 14, 2024

Time:                              11:40 p.m.

Location:                     8300 block of N. Mopac

Incident number:   24006937

At approximately 11:40 p.m. on Sunday, January 14, 2024, the Austin Fire Department’s (AFD) Engine 21 responded to a report of an outdoor fire in the 8300 block of N. Mopac, at a homeless encampment. After they extinguished the fire, firefighters discovered a deceased person.

At this time, there is a joint investigation between the AFD Investigations Division and the Austin Police Department’s (APD) Homicide Unit. The official cause of death is pending an autoposy by the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office. The cause of the fire has yet to be determined. No further information is available at this time.

We would like to remind the public of the cold weather resources available. When Cold Weather Shelters are activated the Cold Weather Shelter hotline (512-972-5055) is updated with shelter details.

While Cold Weather Shelters are primarily accessed by people experiencing homelessness, they are available to anyone in need of a warm place to spend the night.  

We encourage anyone who may need overnight shelter, to seek it early. Cold Weather Shelter registration takes place between 5:00-8:00 p.m. at One Texas Center (OTC), 505 Barton Springs Rd. Bus routes to OTC are lines: 1, 7, 10, 20, 30, 105, 142, 801. Anyone seeking a cold weather shelter and does not have the means to pay the fare will still be given a ride.  

If someone cannot get to the shelter via bus, please contact Austin 311 or 512-974-2000 for assistance with transportation.

Cold Weather Shelters are currently activated through Wednesday morning, January 17, 2024. Cold Weather Shelters are activated if the overnight weather meets the activation criteria:  

• 32 degrees or colder overnight  
• 35 degrees, with rain/wet  
• 35 degrees, with wind chill of 32 or colder  

The City uses the National Weather Service weather report at Camp Mabry as the official location for assessing temperatures due to its central location and proximity to Downtown.

Warming Centers

The Central Library Events Center will also be available as a Warming Center from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024. Regular business hours and operations will resume at 9 a.m. Tuesday.

Austin Public Libraries and Parks and Recreation facilities are available as Warming Centers during regular business hours.