Austin Police are offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the capture of the killer of a 16-year-old boy shot on Tuesday night.
The shooting stemmed from an “altercation” over a small amount of marijuana.
“Based on information developed thus far, it appears this homicide may be related to the purchase of a small amount of marijuana,” the Police Department said in a news release.
Police located the victim, Luke Kemper, in a Walgreens parking lot at 12601 Tech Ridge Blvd, in response to a 9-1-1 call. That’s just next to a major campus of Dell Computer, and across the street from an EMS station.
EMS transported Kemper to Dell Seton, but he was pronounced deceased at the hospital 9:14 p.m.
The news release says, “The individuals who were with Luke Kemper at the time of the shooting provided false information to officers about the circumstances leading up to the homicide. This caused a delay in evidence collection including determining who else may have been involved.”
“A separate group, friends of Mr. Kemper, provided details and information about what occurred. Investigators are working to locate the others who were there at the time of the incident to understand what caused the altercation.”
Ofc. Bino Cadenas, a police spokesperson, commented, “Austin, please have these hard conversations with your teenagers. Exchange of drugs and money often lead to guns and violence. Please stay safe and if you’re a victim or a witness of a crime report it to 9-1-1.”
The killing is Austin’s 36th of the year. At this time last year there had been 28 homicides, meaning homicides are up 29% this year.
