James Lewis Allen Jr., a 38-year-old man from Austin, Texas, tragically lost his life on May 28, 2020. He was fatally shot during an altercation at the Springdale Estates apartment complex in East Austin. First responders attempted lifesaving measures, but Allen was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation led to the arrest of Jeffrey Garner, a 24-year-old man, the following day.
Witnesses described Garner as a Black male, approximately 19 to 20 years old, with a short black afro and wearing all black clothing. He was seen running from the parking lot after the shooting. Garner was later indicted for murder on August 6, 2020.
After a trial that began on June 12, 2023, a Travis County jury found Garner guilty of murder on June 15, 2023. The jury's decision brought some closure to Allen's family, who had been waiting for justice for over three years. Garner received a 30-year sentence for his crime.
The case highlighted the ongoing efforts of the Travis County District Attorney's Office to hold individuals accountable for acts of violence and to bring peace to the families of victims.
