Tyrone Thompson was found guilty in the deaths of Cody Shelton and William Dunham, who Thompson hit with his vehicle in Downtown Austin on March 12, 2024.

AUSTIN, Texas — Almost exactly two years later, a Travis County jury has convicted a 25-year-old man of murder after he hit two people during South by Southwest in March 2024, then fled the scene. Both of those victims died.

The Travis County District Attorney’s Office announced Thursday that on Feb. 26, a jury convicted Tyrone Thompson of two counts of both murder and collision involving death for the deaths of 26-year-old Cody Shelton and 34-year-old William Dunham.

On March 4, a judge sentenced Thompson to 40 years in prison for each murder charge and 10 years in prison for each charge of collision involving death. The sentences will be served concurrently in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.


What happened in March 2024?

On March 12, 2024, Austin police officers responded to a crash involving a vehicle and two pedestrians in the intersection of East Seventh and Red River streets. The driver, Thompson, did not remain at the scene.

Shelton was pronounced dead at the scene, while Dunham was taken to a hospital with life-threatening injuries. He died a little over a month later.

On the same morning that Thompson hit Shelton and Dunham, he was involved in another crash in Travis County and was arrested on unrelated charges by the Travis County Sheriff’s Office.

Thompson was charged with murder in connection with both Shelton’s and Dunham’s deaths. In June 2024, he was indicted on charges of murder, intoxication manslaughter, manslaughter and collision involving death.


Who were Cody Shelton and William Dunham?

Angel Scallion, Cody Shelton’s aunt, described him as a friendly person with a passion for cooking. She said he could “light up a room.”

After growing up in Fort Worth, Shelton moved to Austin. Prior to his death, he worked at Arlo Grey as a cook.

Scallion also told KVUE that Shelton had previously been hit by a car in Fort Worth and was in the ICU for two weeks.

“Tragedy is what’s making a name for him, and that’s sad because he had so much potential in what he was doing and what he loved,” Scallion said. “And it’s just hard. It’s hard to think that this is what’s making his name out there.”

William Dunham owned a company that made original leather goods. His mother, Joan Winter, described him as a generous, curious person who was always seeking deep connections.

“He cared deeply and somehow got it – got that big wisdom as a young guy – that we’re passing through, and we’re here for a short time on this earth,” Winter said.

Dunham suffered critical injuries when he was hit by Thompson’s car. He was on life support for five weeks before passing away on April 15, 2024.

“What we’ve learned recently is that he, at the last minute, was able to push somebody out of the way from being hit,” Winter said. “And that was a heroic kind of gesture at the end.”

Dunham donated four organs posthumously. His mother said at the time that she spoke with KVUE that she hoped to meet the recipients at a Tree of Life ceremony.

“What I miss is my bright boy sitting next to me, entertaining me with stories of life and stories of his wild imagination,” Winter said. “It’s a great spirit and beautiful mind and dear heart.”