KERR COUNTY, Texas – A man was arrested on Monday in connection with the shooting death of a 22-year-old woman in Austin, according to authorities.
Gonzalo Mendoza-Gonzalez, 22, was arrested on suspicion of murder and booked into the Kerr County Jail, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook.
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The shooting happened around 10:15 p.m. on Sunday in the 2700 block of Philomena Street. Upon arrival, Austin police said officers found Samantha Fernandez dead from a gunshot wound in a parking lot.
An investigation revealed that a Chevrolet Silverado entered the parking lot, and Fernandez approached the vehicle. Mendoza-Gonzalez, who was inside, shot Fernandez before fleeing the scene, police said.
Authorities believe the vehicle broke down around 4 a.m. on Monday in the 100 block of Sutherland Lane in Kerrville, Texas.
Kerr County deputies responded to the scene to investigate the abandoned Chevrolet Silverado. Shortly after, the sheriff’s office said they were dispatched to a mini-mart in the 4400 block of Highway 27 for reports of people knocking on windows.
Deputies located Mendoza-Gonzalez and an unidentified female at the mini-mart. The sheriff’s office stated both denied affiliation with the abandoned vehicle.
The Facebook post said Mendoza-Gonzalez and the female were given a ride to a local hotel. Soon after their release, deputies were notified by the Austin Police Department that the abandoned vehicle was used in connection with the Sunday shooting.
The sheriff’s office said deputies returned to the hotel and detained Mendoza-Gonzalez and the female. Deputies found that Mendoza-Gonzalez had a gun with ammunition, the Facebook post stated.
Mendoza-Gonzalez was later taken into custody for first-degree murder, authorities said.
This is a developing story. KSAT will update you once more information becomes available.
