Suspect Charged with First-Degree Murder in Austin Shooting Outside Health and Human Services Building

According to CBS Austin, a suspect in the deadly shooting outside the Texas Health and Human Services Building on November 7 has been taken into custody by Austin police. Around 5:50 p.m., while anger management classes were reportedly in session, the victim, named as Shelby Wayne Cody, 33, was shot many times.

According to Austin Police Detective Patrick Reed, Lavonta Harrison was arrested on Nov. 12 after violating her parole and is now facing a first-degree murder allegation. Before police arrived on the scene just two minutes after the initial emergency call, witnesses rushed to the scene and attempted life-saving measures when the incident occurred. However, after being shot in the stomach and leg, Cody passed away at a nearby hospital at 6:35 p.m., according to CBS Austin.

Detective Reed’s statement, which HeadTopics was able to receive, states: “Based on the analysis of the crime scene and our conversations with witnesses, we do not believe that Mr. Harrison was targeting anyone other than Shelby.” Assistant Chief Eric Fitzgerald, who was obtained by HeadTopics, further demonstrated the crucial role of individuals present during the incident by acknowledging that the witnesses “played a major role in us being able to make an arrest and bring this to a resolution so quickly.”

According to records, this was Austin’s 57th homicide of 2024. Perhaps maintaining the scene’s integrity and averting additional violence, the building personnel followed safety procedures to the letter after the shooting by closing down the building until the authorities arrived.

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