APD: Teen dies, police investigating as a homicide at apartment complex on Rosewood Ave.
AUSTIN (KXAN) -- A teenage boy died after a shooting that happened at an apartment complex in east Austin Friday night, Austin Police Department Corporal Jose Mendez said during a media briefing.
"Just after 7 p.m. this evening, we had a young male murdered right here in our city," he said. "Right now, there's a family grieving because they're just receiving the worst news they could possibly receive. Our hearts go out to the victim's family, friends and all those that are affected by this."
Officers responded to the 2600 block of Rosewood Avenue, which is the Booker T. Washington apartment complex, in reference to a shoot/stab hotshot call, Mendez said.
He said said several callers called 911 saying they heard several gunshots in the apartment complex. When officers arrived, they found "a male with obvious trauma to his body inside an apartment." Police described the victim as "a Black male in his teens."
In addition to APD officers, EMS and the Austin Fire Department also responded to the scene to provide life-saving measures. However, the teen was pronounced dead shortly after 7 p.m., Mendez said.
After police began conducting an investigation and speaking with witnesses, Mendez said it is believed "the two individuals involved may have known each other."
"Right now, we are encouraging the public, our community, to come forward with any information you might have," he said.
Mendez said the incident is an isolated incident with no danger to the public.
This is now being investigated as Austin's 38th homicide of 2025, according to police.
"To the people that are capable of committing this crime here in our city, I want to remind you that in 2023, our homicide unit had a 100% clearance rate on all homicides that took place here in our city. In 2024, that number was at just around 94% with those remaining cases still being investigated today," Mendez said. "The national average is just around 58%."
Police are encouraging anyone with any information to come forward. They can do so by calling the APD homicide tip line at 512-477-3588 or Austin Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS (8477).
"We are pleading with you today to come forward, let's work this together and let's bring justice to this family," Mendez said.
No one was arrested in connection with the homicide, as of Friday.