During a press conference on Tuesday, Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said, “last night, a third warrant for the shooting incident has been issued for De’Ondre Jermirris White. He is a Black male born on January 23, 2002….This warrant is for murder with a bond of $1 million.”
“Mr. White is currently outstanding. He is not in custody….This person is considered armed and dangerous and is now a fugitive,” Chacon said. “And we ask if you see him, do not try to take action yourself or put yourself in danger. Call the police.”
Chacon continued, “Our investigation has revealed that White is responsible for the murder of Mr. Douglas Kantor as well as shooting many, if not all, of our shooting victims,” adding that “witness interviews, ballistic evidence, video evidence, and the positions of the suspect,” helped police during their investigation.
The announcement by the Austin Police Department on Tuesday comes several days after the mass shooting on June 12 in the 400 block of E. 6th Street. According to police, officers were dispatched to the area at around 1:24 a.m. local time on June 12 following reports of multiple shots fired at a crowd of people.
According to police, 15 victims suffered gunshot wounds and 13 were in stable condition. One other victim, who was not identified, remains in critical condition, while another victim, identified by police as Kantor, died from his injuries.
During the press conference on Tuesday, Chacon explained that police have learned from investigations that there was a confrontation between two groups of teenagers that led to the mass shooting.
Police previously arrested an unidentified juvenile, who was charged with deadly conduct, and a 17-year-old identified as Jeremiah Roshawn Leland James Tabb, who was charged with aggravated assault.
During the press conference on Tuesday, Travis County District Attorney José Garza announced that the district attorney’s office was dropping the charges against the unidentified juvenile and Tabb.
“At this point in the investigation, dismissing these charges is what is in the best interest of this investigation and ensuring that we are able to put forward the best case we can as we focus on the person who is primarily responsible for the injury and death that took place on 6th Street,” Garza said.
Newsweek reached out to the Austin Police Department for further comment but did not receive a response in time for publication.
