Six killed in 2023 Texas shooting spree as jury picks begin

Six people lost their lives in a random shooting spree that began in San Antonio and moved to Austin. Trial proceedings for Shane James Jr. opened in Austin on Monday. The jury selection process has started for the man accused of those crimes. Three other individuals sustained injuries during the incident.

The violence began on Dec. 5, 2023. Investigators report that James killed his parents in San Antonio before traveling to Austin. That same morning, police say James shot and injured an AISD officer at Northeast Early College High School. Roughly an hour later, he arrived on Shadywood Drive. There, he shot and killed Emmanuel Pop Ba, a handyman, and Sabrina Rahman. Pop Ba was inside his truck, which James subsequently stole. Rahman was walking with her infant. In the evening, James shot a cyclist on West Slaughter Lane. That victim survived.

Later that night, police responded to a burglary report on Austral Loop. Officers found James in a backyard. He fired at one officer, who returned fire. James was not hit, and the officer recovered from the exchange. Police discovered two bodies inside the residence. They were later identified as Katherine and Lauren Short. Officers arrested James after he led them on a chase.

James was found incompetent to stand trial in 2024 and sent to a state mental hospital. His competency was restored in 2025. In May 2026, he entered a not guilty plea. In September, his attorneys told the court they plan to use an insanity defense for his actions during the crimes.

The trial continues in Austin. The next scheduled step is the conclusion of jury selection.