Case:  23-3391146 

Date:  Tuesday, December 5, 2023 

Time:  6:48 p.m. 

Location:  5300 block of Austral Loop 

Victim:  APD Officer 

Victim (deceased):  Katherine Short, White female, 04/02/1967 

Victim (deceased):  Lauren Short, White female, 11/16/1993 

Suspect (arrested):  Shane James, White male, 34 years of age 


The Austin Police Department (APD) is investigating the officer-involved shooting that occurred on December 5, 2023, in the 5300 block of Austral Loop. 

At approximately 6:48 p.m., Austin 911 received a report of a burglary in progress at a residence where the back door was kicked in by a male suspect. Officers were dispatched at approximately 6:50 p.m., to a call titled "Burglary Hot Shot." 

At approximately 6:54 p.m., the initial responding officer, who was wearing an Austin Police uniform, arrived at the location and encountered a male suspect in the backyard of the residence. The male, later identified as Shane James, immediately fired several gunshots at the officer. The officer returned fire with his Department-approved firearm in the direction of Mr. James. The officer suffered multiple gunshot wounds. The officer moved to the front of the house, where he found a second officer who assisted by providing cover. It was later determined that Mr. James was not struck by gunfire during this incident. 

At approximately 6:58 p.m., Austin-Travis County EMS and the Austin Fire Department were called to the scene to provide medical assistance to the injured officer. At approximately the same time that the officers called for EMS, Mr. James fled the scene in a vehicle he had stolen from the residence on Austral Loop. 

At approximately 7:04 p.m., the officer was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, where he was treated and later released to recover at home. 

At approximately 7:14 p.m., after a pursuit with officers, Mr. James crashed the stolen vehicle he was driving at the intersection of SH 45 and FM 1826 and was taken into custody. Mr. James was found to be in possession of a firearm.  

While the vehicle pursuit was in progress, additional officers entered the residence on Austral Loop to check the welfare of anyone inside. Mr. James’ apparent victims, Catherine Short and Lauren Short, were located inside the residence with fatal injuries and were pronounced deceased on scene.  

Mr. James was transported to the Travis County Jail. Charges related to this incident include two counts of Capital Murder and one count of Aggravated Assault against a Public Servant. The APD Homicide Unit is conducting an investigation into this incident and the events leading up to this incident.

This officer-involved shooting incident was captured on the officer's body-worn camera. Per APD policy, APD video relating to this incident will be released within ten business days. The officer who discharged his Department-approved firearm has 12 years and two months of service with the Department. Per APD protocol, the officer has been placed on administrative duty. 

APD will conduct two concurrent investigations into the officer- involved shooting: a criminal investigation conducted by the APD Special Investigations Unit in conjunction with the Travis County District Attorney's Office and an administrative investigation conducted by the APD Internal Affairs Unit, with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight.  

Anyone with information is encouraged to call APD's Special Investigations Unit at (512) 974-6840 or Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. For the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers submission, you may submit a tip online at austincrimestoppers.org. You may remain anonymous.