AUSTIN, Texas — A 20-year-old man has been charged with murder following a deadly shooting in northeast Austin that claimed the life of a 15-year-old last month.
Around 3 a.m. on March 31, Austin police responded to multiple reports of a shooting on Harrisglenn Drive near East Parmer Lane. When officers arrived, they discovered a black 2012 Ford Mustang had crashed into a utility pole. Inside, they found 15-year-old Derick Fajardo-Reyes, who was rushed to the hospital but died hours later.
According to an affidavit, a witness at the scene said a white pickup truck drove up next to the Mustang and opened fire. A juvenile, who was driving the Mustang at the time of the shooting, told police that Fajardo-Reyes had arranged to meet a female for sex that night. After an argument between the two, Fajardo-Reyes called the juvenile for help.
The juvenile met them on Bradbury Lane and witnessed the ongoing argument. At that point, the female reportedly called her cousin, identified as Eli Aleman, who arrived in a white pickup truck.
As the Mustang began to leave the area, Aleman allegedly pursued the vehicle. During the chase, the Mustang crashed, and Fajardo-Reyes—who was seated in the front passenger seat—was shot.
A friend of Fajardo-Reyes told investigators the victim had met the female days earlier at a rodeo and planned to meet up for sex. The altercation may have been sparked by an attempt to film the encounter.
Police later confirmed that Aleman was the registered owner of the truck involved in the shooting. He has since been charged with first-degree murder.
The investigation remains active.
