News Summary
Austin police are investigating two recent homicide cases, marking the 22nd and 24th killings of the year. The latest incident occurred on South Pleasant Valley Road, where a man was found dead after suffering apparent trauma. Authorities haven’t identified any suspects but believe the incident was isolated. The investigation comes on the heels of an earlier homicide involving Marcos Valerio-Rodriguez at a gas station. Amid growing concerns about public safety, police urge anyone with information to come forward.
Austin Police Investigate Homicide Incidents, Marking 22nd and 24th Killings of 2025
A homicide investigation is currently underway following a fatal incident that occurred near South Pleasant Valley Road and East Stassney Lane in southeast Austin on Sunday morning. The police received a call at approximately 6:41 a.m. regarding a man found with apparent trauma in the 5700 block of Hammermill Run. Emergency medical services arrived on the scene and attempted life-saving measures; however, the individual was pronounced dead at 7:08 a.m.
As this incident marks Austin’s 24th homicide of 2025, authorities have stated that they have not identified any suspects. They believe the situation was isolated and there is no ongoing threat to the public. This investigation follows another homicide that took place earlier in the month, emphasizing a concerning trend in violent incidents within the city.
Previous Homicide Incident in May
Another homicide occurred on May 1 at a Shell gas station located in the 2000 block of E Riverside Drive. The victim in this previous incident has been identified as 37-year-old Marcos Valerio-Rodriguez. Police were alerted to the scene shortly before 7 p.m. and found Valerio-Rodriguez suffering from gunshot wounds to his torso. He was pronounced dead at roughly 7:20 p.m..
The ongoing investigation into the May 1 incident revealed that Valerio-Rodriguez arrived intoxicated at his girlfriend’s workplace, which is adjacent to the gas station. Following an argument, he briefly left the area but returned and began banging on the door of his girlfriend’s workplace. During the confrontation, he reportedly pulled a knife on a bystander, prompting the bystander to respond by shooting Valerio-Rodriguez. This case is categorized as the 22nd homicide of 2025.
Community Impact and Investigation
Following the incidents, both cases have raised alarms within the community regarding public safety. The Austin Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding both homicides. They have urged anyone with information pertinent to either case to reach out to law enforcement by contacting the Austin Police Department at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477.
Context of Homicides in Austin
In recent years, Austin has experienced a notable increase in violent crime. The rise in homicide rates has become a pressing concern for residents and law enforcement alike. As of now, a total of 24 homicides have been reported in 2025, with the 22nd being the incident involving Valerio-Rodriguez. Local authorities are continuing their efforts to address this surge in violence while providing the community with updates and encouraging vigilance.
As investigations proceed, the Austin Police Department remains dedicated to uncovering the details behind these tragic incidents, ensuring that justice is served and maintaining safety in the community.
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Additional Resources
- KXAN: Austin Police Investigate Southeast Austin Homicide
- Wikipedia: Homicide in Austin
- KVUE: Hammermill Run Homicide Investigation
- Google Search: Hammermill Run Homicide
- FOX 7 Austin: Austin Police Homicide Hammermill Run Crime
- Google Scholar: Homicide Investigations
- CBS Austin: Victim Identified in Homicide at Shell Gas Station
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Homicide Cases
- CBS Austin: Austin Police Investigate Riverside Homicide
- Google News: East Riverside Homicide
Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER
The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
