The Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that Lavonta Harrison was found guilty of the murder of Shelby Cody.
AUSTIN, Texas — A Travis County jury has convicted a man of murder in connection with a 2024 shooting that killed a man in northeast Austin.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced on Thursday that 32-year-old Lavonta Harrison was found guilty of murdering 33-year-old Shelby Wayne Cody.
Jury selection began on Monday, Feb. 2, and prosecutors started presenting evidence the following day. On Thursday, Feb. 5, jurors deliberated for about an hour before returning a guilty verdict. Harrison was sentenced the next day to 40 years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
The case stems from a Nov. 7, 2024, shooting outside a Texas Health and Human Services Department building along East U.S. 290, near Calidad Drive. Police said Cody was standing outside the building when Harrison drove up, got out of his car and began shooting without saying a word.
Witnesses called 911, and several bystanders tried to save Cody before emergency crews arrived. He later died at a hospital.
Harrison was arrested Nov. 12, 2024, by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force on a parole violation warrant. He was indicted by a Travis County grand jury on Dec. 31, 2024.
“Cody’s life was tragically cut short, leaving his family to cope with the pain of loss,” District Attorney José Garza said in a statement. “We hope this verdict helps the victim’s family in their healing process. Our office is grateful to our staff and law enforcement partners who worked tirelessly to hold the defendant accountable and secure justice for Cody and his family.”