AUSTIN, Texas — Nearly three years after a string of shootings across San Antonio and Austin that investigators say left six people dead and three others wounded, Shane James is scheduled to appear in court in Austin on Monday.
James is set to appear at the Travis County Courthouse at 9:15 a.m. He faces multiple charges, including capital murder and aggravated assault, in connection with the shootings in December 2023.
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A judge has ordered a mental competency exam that legal experts say must be completed before a trial can begin. James’ competency has been an issue in the case before. In October 2024, a judge ruled him incompetent and ordered treatment. In July of last year, a judge ruled him competent to stand trial. In September, court filings showed his attorneys planned to argue he was legally insane during the shootings.
Competency and insanity are separate legal questions. Competency focuses on whether a defendant can understand the case and assist in the defense now. Insanity addresses legal responsibility at the time of the alleged crimes.
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Investigators say the violence began in the San Antonio area, where James allegedly killed his parents. Then, at 10:45, an Austin ISD police officer was shot. Around noon, two people were killed on Shadywood Drive. Just before 5 p.m., a cyclist was shot on West Slaughter Lane. Before 7 p.m., two more people were found dead in South Austin and an Austin police officer was wounded. James was arrested after a chase and crash that night.
Court proceedings Tuesday are expected to determine what happens next in the case and whether the trial moves forward this week.