A teenager was taken into custody Monday evening after allegedly shooting and killing a 16-year-old girl at an apartment complex in northeast Austin.
Austin police responded to a shooting call on the 1500 block of East Howard Lane at the Bridge at Harris Ridge Apartments,shortly after 6 p.m.
Upon arrival, they found 16-year-old Za’Riyah Sheffield suffering with gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency crews.
Detectives learned that the 16-year-old suspect confronted Sheffield about “simply looking at him,” leading to a verbal altercation that escalated into him allegedly shooting and killing her in the parking lot.
He fled the scene on foot but was apprehended later when he returned to the area.
The Austin Police Department stated that he has been charged with first-degree murder, although they did not disclose his identity due to his age.
The investigation is still ongoing.
