Police identify victim in homicide at northeast Austin homeless encampment

Investigators believe an unidentified suspect shot and killed the victim and then fled the area.

AUSTIN, Texas — Police have identified a man killed in a homicide on East Braker Lane in northeast Austin on Saturday morning.

According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded to a call about an unresponsive man at a homeless encampment at 914 E. Braker Lane around 8:10 a.m. on Feb. 28.

When officers arrived, they located the victim, later identified as 53-year-old Benjamin Biesecker, who had multiple gunshot wounds. Biesecker was pronounced dead on the scene at 8:21 a.m.

Investigators believe an unidentified suspect shot and killed Biesecker and then fled the area.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact APD at 512-974-TIPS or submit tips anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477 or by visiting austincrimestoppers.org. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for any information that leads to an arrest.

This case is being investigated as Austin’s 11th homicide of 2026.