Austin, TX - illegal alien arrested for murder after a 6 hour standoff with SWAT

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Police charge 18-year-old in bus stop slaying

An 18-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder in the fatal shooting of 24-year-old Andre Walker at a Southeast Austin bus stop on Tuesday.

The motive appears to have been gang-related, Austin police Sgt. Hector Reveles said.

Reveles said Walker was approached by Enrique Barriga and two other Hispanic men about 2:30 p.m. at a bus stop on Burton Drive near East Oltorf Street.

The three men "took offense that Walker was wearing colors that they weren't," Reveles said. "This does appear to stem from gang hostilities."

Barriga pulled out a gun and shot Walker while the men were talking, Reveles said.

Police said this is the first fatal gang-related shooting in Austin this year.

Reveles did not say where Walker was hit, how many times he was shot or what type of gun was used.

Barriga and the two men, who have not been identified, ran into a nearby apartment complex, where a SWAT standoff ensued for the next six hours, Reveles said.

When SWAT members knocked down the door, they found eight people inside, including Barriga, who was then detained, police said.

Barriga was charged with first-degree murder and remained in the Travis County Jail, with bail set at $1 million. He could face life in prison if convicted.

According to court documents, Barriga also has an immigration hold for federal officials to investigate his residential status.

Reveles said that although all three men confronted Walker, only Barriga is facing murder charges.

Barriga "took it upon himself to pull the trigger," Reveles said. "However, we are still investigating."

Neighbors who gathered at the scene Tuesday said the area was well-known for drug crimes and prostitution, but the shooting took many by surprise.

That particular bus stop was described as extremely busy, neighbors said, and high school students often walk through the area. More than a dozen businesses are located within two blocks.

Police are asking witnesses to call the homicide tip line at 477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 472-8477. A $1,000 reward is offered for a tip that leads to an arrest or charges being filed.

The death is the city's 33rd homicide of 2010. Police said that at this time last year, Austin had had 19 slayings.

Source - http://www.statesman.com/news/local/police-charge-18-year-old-in-bus-stop-1041012.html