Crime
20-year-old Matthew Escalante killed after shooting in east Austin
The Austin Police Department (APD) is actively investigating a homicide that occurred in East Austin last week, involving the death of 20-year-old Matthew Escalante.
Officers initially responded to a report of a gunshot victim in the 2600 block of Rosewood Avenue at around 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 7.
Upon arriving, officers found Escalante suffering from a gunshot wound.
He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital but, despite medical efforts, he passed away on November 8.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Escalante had gone to meet someone when he was suddenly ambushed and shot by an unidentified suspect.
The shooter then fled the scene, accompanied by additional suspects, according to APD.
This incident has been classified as Austin’s 58th homicide of 2024.
Detectives are urging anyone with information regarding the suspects or the events leading up to the shooting to come forward to aid in their ongoing investigation.
The APD requests that individuals with potential leads contact them directly at 512-974-TIPS.
Tips can also be submitted anonymously via the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program, either by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be offered for information leading to an arrest in this case.
On November 8, 2024, the Milwaukee County District Attorney’s Office filed a criminal felony charge against Christian Martin, 18, in connection with the October 28 fatal shooting of 15-year-old Nelson Manuel López Correa, who died days later from a gunshot wound to the head.
Following the filing of charges, a felony arrest warrant for Martin was issued on Monday, November 11.
Martin is charged with first-degree intentional homicide with the use of a dangerous weapon. If convicted, he faces a sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
According to the criminal complaint, López Correa was with a girl he was dating and another male teen near the 1600 block of W. Forest Home Avenue when Martin, who had previously dated the same girl, approached them.
The complaint states that Martin had spoken to the girl the previous day, but upon seeing her with López Correa, he allegedly initiated a conversation with her.
She reportedly told him she no longer wanted to date him, at which point Martin struck her on the side.
As she and López Correa stood by a bus stop, Martin allegedly shot López Correa from behind, causing the girl to flee to a nearby gas station.
Police recovered surveillance footage from the scene, showing Martin allegedly shooting López Correa and the girl running from the area.
The other male teen who was with López Correa told police he had briefly gone home to check the bus schedule.
As he was returning to the bus stop, he heard a gunshot and saw López Correa fall, at which point Martin had reportedly fled.
In the wake of López Correa’s tragic death, his family is organizing a “Justice for Nelson Manuel López Correa” peaceful march on November 16, 2024, to raise awareness and call for justice.
The gathering will begin at 9:30 a.m. at S. 16 Street and W. Forest Home Avenue. Around 10:40 a.m., participants will march to the Milwaukee Police Department’s District 2 Station at 245 W. Lincoln Avenue in Milwaukee.