AUSTIN, Texas — Testimony began Thursday in Travis County in the trial of Shane James, the man charged in a shooting spree in Austin and San Antonio that led to the death of six people and left three others injured.
The Travis County trial centers on capital murder charges related to the death of four people in Austin on December 5, 2023: Sabrina Rahman, Emmanuel Pop Ba, Katherine Short and Lauren Short.
Three others in Austin suffered injuries in the shooting spree, including Austin ISD Sgt. Val Barnes.
Injured Austin ISD Sergeant testifies
Prosecutors called Barnes to testify first on Thursday. Barnes detailed an encounter with James outside Northeast Early College High School shortly before 11 a.m. on Dec. 5.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Jury selected for Shane James trial, opening arguments expected Thursday
Testimony began Thursday in Travis County in the trial of Shane James, the man charged in a shooting spree in Austin and San Antonio that led to the death of six people and left three others injured. (Photo: KTBC Pool)
He testified that James flashed his weapon at him in the school’s parking lot before firing into his SUV. Barnes said he sped off before realizing a bullet went through his leg. The shooting was the first reported encounter with James in Austin on the morning of Dec. 5.
A student from Northeast Early College High School also testified that she witnessed James fleeing after shooting Barnes. Video taken on her cell phone showed her speeding off with friends in a car to escape the scene.
Eyewitnesses detail scene on Shadywood Drive
Eyewitnesses described a gruesome scene on Shadywood Drive in South Austin, where James is accused of fatally shooting Rahman and Pop Ba.
Augustine Javier Cruz, a land surveyor, said he was working across the street when he heard people yelling.
KEYE
He said he saw a man pull another man out of the driver’s seat of a vehicle before shooting him. He then heard a woman scream followed by more gunshots, then saw the shooter take off in the car.
Joan Smith, a midwife who was at a neighbor’s home, described performing CPR on the woman until first responders arrived. She said the woman’s baby was also on scene.
“It’s crying, screaming, and I can’t quite describe it. It sounded like distress,” she told the jury of the infant.
The final witness Thursday was Austin Police Cpl. Mark Foth, who was the first officer on scene.
Prosecutors played unredacted footage from his body-worn camera, which appeared to show the victims lying unresponsive with visible head wounds.
James is also accused of shooting and killing his parents, Shane James, Sr. and Phyllis James, in their home in Bexar County prior to the shootings in Austin.
Opening arguments took place ahead of Thursday’s testimony.
Prosecutors laid out a timeline of events for the jury, detailing each shooting in San Antonio and Austin.
James’ defense attorneys argued that he was not sane at the time of the shooting spree, laying the groundwork to argue for an insanity defense in the case.