Dallas police responded to a shooting call at the DFW Gun Range and Academy in the 1600 block of West Mockingbird Lane about 5:20 p.m. Friday.
kxas-tv-nbc5
In a move rarely seen in Dallas County, a jury earlier this month found a man not guilty by reason of insanity for fatally shooting a 24-year-old employee at a gun range.
The jury deliberated about 12 hours over three days before deciding Austin Minh Tran, of Dallas, was not sane when he killed John “Trey” Shaunfield III, according to Neil Pask, one of Tran’s attorneys. As a result, Tran will be sent to a state psychiatric hospital, where he will be evaluated and treated for an indefinite amount of time, the defense lawyer said.
Article continues below this ad
To be found not guilty by reason of insanity in Texas, the defense must prove at the time of the conduct charged, “the actor, as a result of severe mental disease or defect, did not know that his conduct was wrong,” according to state law.
Insanity defenses are so rare in Dallas County that local prosecutors struggled to remember the last time it was raised at trial here, said Claire Crouch, a spokeswoman for the district attorney’s office. Nationally, the defense is raised in about 1% of all felony criminal cases and is only successful about 25% of the time, according to the Texas Department of Health and Human Services.
The shooting in the Tran case happened Aug. 11, 2023, at the DFW Gun Range and Academy on West Mockingbird Lane. Tran, then 25, went to the range that evening, rented a handgun and began shooting at a target, according to his attorney and an arrest affidavit.
Make Dallas News a preferred source so your search results prioritize writing by actual people, not AI.
Add Preferred Source
After Shaunfield walked into the area Tran was using, Tran turned and fired three shots at him, Pask said. Tran then shot himself, critically wounding himself.
Article continues below this ad
“He heard a voice telling him that this young man was going to kill him,” Pask said. “So he shot him.”
Shaunfield was struck once in the head and twice in his shoulders. He died at the scene. Surveillance footage of the shooting was played at trial, Pask said.
“Mr. Shaunfield was completely blameless,” the defense lawyer said. “This was a senseless act by someone with severe mental illness.”
Shaunfield’s parents didn’t respond to Facebook messages seeking comment.
Article continues below this ad
According to an obituary, Shaunfield graduated from Texas A&M University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in economics, and a minor in business administration. He earned a Master of Science in economics from the university the following year and was preparing to go to law school at the University of North Texas College of Law when he was shot, according to the obituary.
Tran’s attorney argued he had a history of mental illness for years and attempted suicide several times.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms Of Use and acknowledge that your information will be used as described in our Privacy Policy.
Two experts hired by the defense, Dr. Kristi Compton and Dr. Mitchell Dunn, testified Tran was not sane at the time of the shooting, while the prosecution’s expert, Dr. Michael Arambula, told jurors he was.
Article continues below this ad
Tran has been assigned to Vernon State Hospital, in far North Texas, where he will be evaluated and a treatment plan will be created for him.
State District Judge Raquel Jones, who presided over Tran’s trial, will receive regular reports from his doctors and will hold hearings at regular intervals to review his case, Pask said. It will be up to the judge to determine whether Tran can eventually be treated and supervised on an outpatient basis, he said.
This story briefly mentions suicide.
The Here For Texas Mental Health Navigation Line connects North Texans with mental health resources customized to each caller at 972-525-8181 or HereForTexas.com.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has a 24-hour crisis hotline at 800-273-8255. A confidential online chat is also available at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
The Crisis Text Line offers 24-hour support. Text “HOME” to 741741, or find more information at crisistextline.org.