AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas man went on a daylong killing spree, leaving six people dead and two police officers wounded in a trail of violence stretching from San Antonio to Austin, according to authorities on Wednesday.
Shane James, 34, of San Antonio, is accused of committing the attacks in Austin and San Antonio that occurred on Tuesday, before crashing his car that evening during a police chase. He has been charged with two counts of capital murder.
The victims included James’ parents, Phyllis James, 55, and Shane James Sr., 56, who were found dead in their San Antonio-area home, as well as four other people in two homes in Austin, more than 80 miles (130 kilometers) away.
Another person, a cyclist in Austin, was also shot and wounded, and two police officers were recovering from gunshots. The gunman’s relationship to the Austin victims has not been clarified by authorities.
According to records, James has a history of mental health issues and had previously been arrested for assaulting family members. He is a former U.S. Army infantry officer and had been arrested in January on charges of misdemeanor assault against his parents and a sibling.
This tragedy marks the 42nd mass killing in the United States this year, a database maintained by The Associated Press and USA Today in partnership with Northeastern University has shown. At least 217 people have been killed in such incidents this year, defined as those in which four or more individuals die within a 24-hour period, not including the perpetrator.
The suspect’s violent rampage highlights the devastating impact of mass shootings and the urgent need for effective mental health intervention and gun control measures in the country. The search for answers and solutions to prevent such tragedies is ongoing among lawmakers and communities nationwide.