City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: Public Information Office 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 20-3120285
Date: Saturday, November 7, 2020
Time: 4:38 a.m.
Location: 8800 E. HWY 290
Deceased: Mario A. Robinson, B/M, born 4-24-1997
On Saturday, November 7, 2020, at approximately 4:38 a.m., Austin 911 received a call of a male gunshot wound victim in the 9200 block of Happy Trail. Officers arrived on scene and located Mario Robinson with life-threatening injuries. Austin-Travis County EMS arrived and attempted life saving measures, but Mr. Robinson succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased on scene at 4:47 a.m.
Homicide detectives and crime scene units responded to the scene. Preliminary information revealed that a group of friends had been out at a local bar. Afterwards, they went to the Waffle House located at 8800 E. Hwy 290 in two separate vehicles. The group placed their order inside before returning to wait inside their vehicles. While waiting, an SUV pulled up next to the group. Two men exited the SUV, one with a rifle and the other with a handgun, and demanded the group’s belongings. The victims offered no resistance, however, the driver of one of the group’s cars attempted to drive away. The suspect with the rifle fired into the vehicle, striking Mr. Robinson who was a passenger. Mr. Robinson was driven to a neighboring street where his friends stopped and waited for emergency personnel to arrive.
Detectives are still investigating this incident and are developing leads at this time.
The Travis County Medical Examiner’s has ruled the cause of death was from a gunshot wound. The manner of death was homicide.
A $1,000 reward is being offered for information leading to the arrest of the suspect.
Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS; the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), use the new Crime Stoppers App, or email APD Homicide at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. You may remain anonymous. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.
Mr. Robinson's family would like to share this memory of Mario with our community:
"Mario Andretti Robinson II, born on April 24, 1997, was beloved by all his family and friends and remembered most by his wonderful smile. He had a unique charm and charisma that welcomed anyone he met. Mario lived in San Antonio / Universal City with family where he played football for James Madison H.S. and later graduated from Samuel Clemens H.S. He loved sports cars, fashion, professional racing and his hobbies included video games, skateboarding, and spending time with family. He is deeply missed and our families are broken without him."