Austin Deaundre Whitaker (Nacogdoches Co.)

From the Nacogdoches Police:

NACOGDOCHES – The Nacogdoches County Sheriff Office is investigating a double shooting that occurred early Sunday morning on Cr. 521. Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance with weapons in the 1400 block of Cr. 521 shortly after midnight.

Upon arrival deputies found two victims lying in the roadway of Cr. 521 that had suffered gunshot wounds to the leg area on both victims. Deputies started medical treatment on the victims until EMS arrived, where they were later transported to the Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital.

Sheriff Deputies conducted an investigation into the shooting and spoke with several witnesses at the scene.  It was determined that the suspect arrived at a party that was occurring at a residence on Cr. 521 and a disturbance started between him and two other people.  Witnesses stated that the suspect, showed up to the party uninvited and that he was asked to leave the residence due to a previous conflict with someone else at the party. The suspect then became very angry and stated that this turf belonged to him and his gang. 

A physical conflict then started with the suspect and another witness at the party. The two victims attempted to break up the fight, when the suspect pulled a .45 caliber pistol from his waistband and shot both victims in the leg. Another witness then attempted to wrestle the gun away from the suspect when the gun was discharged again and struck the suspect. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.

Deputies were notified a short time later that the suspect showed up at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital for treatment for his wound. It was determined that the suspect was only grazed by a bullet and was released from the hospital after receiving minor treatment. The suspect was then taken into custody by Deputies.

19-year-old Austin Whitaker from Nacogdoches was arrested on two counts of Aggravated Assault with a deadly weapon a second degree felony, and Unlawful carrying a weapon a Class A misdemeanor. He was booked into the Nacogdoches County Jail.

The two victims ages 21 and 22 years old were both treated at Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital. One victim has been released from the hospital, and the other one was transported to a Tyler hospital to undergo further treatment for his wounds.  This case is still under investigation by the Sheriff Office.