Lauren Gums, a 48-year-old woman from Austin, Texas, tragically lost her life on July 7, 2021. She was found unresponsive with an apparent gunshot wound in the parking lot of Swallow Court in North Austin. Medics pronounced her dead at the scene at 10:49 p.m. The Travis County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed that the cause of death was gunshot wounds, ruling it a homicide.
Following the incident, the Austin Police Department launched an investigation.
On July 15, 2021, a warrant was issued for Dedreuain Reese, a 22-year-old man, charging him with murder. The next day, another warrant was issued for Milo Douglas, a 32-year-old man, also charging him with murder. Both suspects were arrested by the Lonestar Fugitive Task Force and were held at the Travis County Jail.
In October 2023, Milo Douglas was sentenced to nine years in state prison after pleading guilty to the murder of Lauren Gums. Dedreuain Reese's case continued to be an ongoing investigation. The Austin Police Department urged anyone with information or video of the incident to come forward, offering a reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
The tragic death of Lauren Gums and the subsequent legal actions against Dedreuain Reese and Milo Douglas highlight the serious consequences of violent crime and the ongoing efforts of law enforcement to bring justice to victims and their families.
