Andrew Jyaire Bass, a 21-year-old African American male, tragically lost his life on November 29, 2019, in Austin, Texas. Born on April 25, 1998, in San Antonio, Texas, Andrew was a loving son, brother, and father who enjoyed creating art, writing poetry and rap lyrics, singing, and playing board games with his family and friends. He is survived by his daughter, India Airˊyel Cleveland-Bass, his parents, stepfather, siblings, and a host of extended family and friends.
On the day of his
death, Andrew Bass was involved in a drug transaction that turned violent. According to the Austin Police Department, Bass and his associate, Sasha Leigh Skare, attempted to rob a resident during the drug deal. The incident occurred at an apartment on Justin Lane in North Austin. As Bass and Skare entered the apartment, Bass shook the resident's hand before pointing a handgun at him and telling him "don't move." The resident, in response, reached for his own gun, leading to a struggle between the two men. During the altercation, both men fired shots, resulting in Bass being fatally wounded. The resident was also shot in the leg and chest but managed to survive.
First responders from the Austin Fire Department and Austin-Travis County EMS arrived at the scene and attempted to save Bass's life, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. The Travis County Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death to be homicide. The police investigation revealed that Skare had set up the meeting with the drug dealer, despite initially claiming she did not know the victim. Skare was later arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the Converse Police Department in December 2019. She was charged with aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon and was released on bond in January 2020. The case remains pending, with Skare facing charges related to the incident.
The tragic death of Andrew Bass highlights the dangers associated with drug-related activities and the potential for violence in such situations. The investigation into his death has led to the arrest and indictment of Sasha Leigh Skare, who now faces serious legal consequences for her involvement in the attempted robbery and subsequent shooting.
