SMPD responds to shooting incidents for sixth consecutive weekend
For the sixth consecutive weekend, the San Marcos Police Department responded to reports of shots being fired.
SMPD made an arrest over the weekend after two incidents involving the discharge of firearms. One of the incidents resulted in an individual being shot by an unknown assailant.
Police responded to a discharge of a firearm call at the Village at Telluride — 301 Telluride #4151 — at approximately 3:31 a.m. on Friday, SMPD said. A complainant stated she heard approximately five shots coming from the area of the apartment and saw a white sedan leaving the area, police said, adding that SMPD received an additional call regarding a loud noise at the same address.
SMPD said officers arrived and found four shell casings on the road and on the front porch in front of the apartment. Officials said police then spoke to a person inside the apartment who allowed them inside and noticed the apartment was in “disarray” upon entry. Police added that there seemed to have been a disturbance inside the apartment.
SMPD said the person inside the apartment didn’t live there but told officers that two of the males who lived there were involved in a physical altercation and that one of the males was upstairs.
Police stated that officers spoke to Garrett Allen Howe, 22, who was upstairs and had visible facial injuries. Howe confirmed he and his roommate were fighting but he didn’t hear gunshots or know about a gun being fired, officials said.
SMPD added that officers observed a black handgun in plain view inside a third roommate’s bedroom that was the same caliber as the recovered shells. Officials said the firearm was collected along with the shell casing. No witnesses to the discharge of the firearm were located.
Howe was arrested after it was discovered he had warrants out of Hays County and had a small bag of drugs in his pocket, police said. Howe was arrested for assault causing bodily injury — outstanding warrant — and possession of a controlled substance. Additionally, police said a report was taken for assault family violence and for deadly conduct discharge of firearm. SMPD said Howe was transported to the Hays County Jail and released on Saturday on $9,000 bond for the two offenses.
Officials are asking anyone who has information regarding the incident to contact the San Marcos Police Criminal Investigation Division at 512-753-2300.
SMPD responded to a second discharge of firearm investigation early Sunday morning.
Officials said officers were dispatched to The Retreat — 512 Craddock Ave. — for discharge of firearm incident at approximately 2:35 a.m. on Sunday. Police said dispatch advised officers responding to the incident that someone had been shot and the shooting victim was being transported to a hospital.
SMPD said it was determined through an investigation that there was a party at one of the apartment buildings in the 1300s and a physical disturbance happened as the party dispersed in the parking lot. An unidentified black male standing near an apartment building in the 1400s pulled out a handgun and reportedly fired one round into the air and one toward a crowd of partygoers, officials said.
An 18-year-old male victim was taken to Premier ER by friends before being transported to Ascension Seton Hays in Kyle after he was shot in the arm and chest, SMPD said, adding that he is expected to recover but his current condition is unknown.
The San Marcos Police Criminal Investigation Division is investigating Sunday morning’s incident and is asking for anyone with surveillance video or information regarding the incident and/or the shooter to contact Detective Sandra Spriegel at 512-753-2369 or sspriegel@sanmarcostx.gov. The shooter has not been found or identified as of press time Monday.
This story has been updated since its first publication.
