Austin, Texas, January 2, 2026
Austin police are investigating a potential homicide following the discovery of a victim with chest wounds near a New Year’s Eve party in North Austin. Officers responded to a 911 call at a party located at a strip mall just after midnight. Despite immediate CPR efforts, the victim was declared dead shortly thereafter. Authorities are urging anyone with information to come forward as the investigation continues, marking what could be the earliest homicide reported in Austin in a new year.
Austin Police Investigate First Possible Homicide of 2026
Austin, Texas – Austin police are investigating what may be the city’s first homicide of 2026 after a victim was found with chest trauma near a New Year’s Eve party in North Austin.
Incident Details
At approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026, Austin 911 received a call reporting a disturbance at a party in a strip mall located in the 700 block of West Anderson Lane, near Highway 183 and North Lamar Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers discovered a victim with chest trauma and performed CPR. The victim was pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. Details about the victim’s identity and the cause of death have not been disclosed. The group at the party was described as young adults, but no further information about their identities has been released. Police believe the incident was isolated and are continuing their investigation. If confirmed as a homicide, this would mark the earliest reported homicide in Austin in a new year. In 2025, Austin reported 55 homicides, down from 72 in 2024.
Background Context
Homicide investigations are complex and can take time to resolve. The Austin Police Department is urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward to assist in the investigation. The community is encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local authorities.
Related Incidents
In a separate incident, five juveniles were injured in a shooting at a New Year’s Eve party in Round Rock, a suburb of Austin. The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. on December 31, 2025, at the Platinum Event Center on Chisholm Trail Road. A physical altercation among partygoers escalated into gunfire, resulting in non-life-threatening injuries to all five victims. Three of the victims are from Pflugerville, and two are from Austin. The Round Rock Police Department is investigating the incident and has not released information about any suspects.
Community Response
The Austin community is urged to stay informed and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure public safety. Residents are reminded to report any information related to these incidents to the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happened in the 700 block of West Anderson Lane on January 1, 2026?
At approximately 1:30 a.m., Austin 911 received a call reporting a disturbance at a party in a strip mall located in the 700 block of West Anderson Lane. Officers arrived to find a victim with chest trauma, who was pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. The incident is under investigation and may be the city’s first homicide of 2026.
Who was involved in the incident on West Anderson Lane?
The group at the party was described as young adults. However, no further information about their identities has been released. The victim’s identity has also not been disclosed.
What is the Austin Police Department doing about the incident?
The Austin Police Department is investigating the incident and believes it was isolated. They are urging anyone with information to come forward to assist in the investigation.
Has Austin experienced any other recent shootings?
Yes, in a separate incident, five juveniles were injured in a shooting at a New Year’s Eve party in Round Rock, a suburb of Austin. The shooting occurred around 11:30 p.m. on December 31, 2025, at the Platinum Event Center on Chisholm Trail Road. All five victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
What should the community do in response to these incidents?
The Austin community is encouraged to stay informed and cooperate with law enforcement to ensure public safety. Residents are reminded to report any information related to these incidents to the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers.
Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident Location | 700 block of West Anderson Lane, Austin, Texas |
| Time of Incident | Approximately 1:30 a.m. on January 1, 2026 |
| Victim’s Condition | Pronounced dead at 1:45 a.m. with chest trauma |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing; believed to be an isolated incident |
| Community Advisory | Residents encouraged to report any information to the Austin Police Department or Crime Stoppers |
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