Shane James Jr. is accused of shooting and killing his parents, Phyllis and Shane James Sr., in their Kirby home in Bexar County before making his way to Austin. His alleged crime spree in the Texas capital claimed the lives of Emmanuel Pop Ba, 32; Sabrina Rahman, 24; Catherine Short, 56; and Lauren Short, 30, as well as injured an Austin ISD police officer, an Austin Police officer and a cyclist.
Travis County court records reveal a trial start date has been set for Monday, October 26, in the 147th Criminal District Court in Austin. Within Travis County’s jurisdiction, James faces multiple counts of capital murder of a peace officer or fireman, capital murder of multiple persons and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, per online records. James pleaded not guilty to those charges, as confirmed by court documents.
The trial comes two years after an October 2024 ruling found James incompetent to stand trial at that time, ordering him to be committed to a mental health hospital for treatment, Travis County District Attorney’s Office records confirm. In July 2025, a Travis County judge ruled that James was competent to stand trial and ordered that his criminal cases continue in the 147th Criminal District Court.
Bexar County officials previously confirmed James, a former U.S. Army soldier discharged amid a domestic violence dispute, had several prior incidents with law enforcement, including assault charges involving his parents and siblings.