On May 4, 2025, at approximately 6:41 a.m., officers from the Austin Police Department responded to reports of a shooting in the 5700 block of Hammermill Run in Austin, Texas. Upon arrival, they discovered 15-year-old Neithan Jadiel Montenegro, a Hispanic male, suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts, Neithan Jadiel Montenegro was pronounced deceased at the scene at 7:08 a.m.
According to the preliminary investigation, the incident stemmed from a confrontation
involving 38-year-old Victor Javier Orellana-Carranza, a Hispanic male. Orellana-Carranza had arrived at the residence searching for his two-year-old son, whose mother lived at the home along with her 17-year-old son. At the time, the residence was occupied by the mother, her son, and Neithan Jadiel Montenegro, who was a friend of the 17-year-old.
Upon entering the home, Orellana-Carranza allegedly assaulted the mother of his child. In response, her 17-year-old son and Neithan Jadiel Montenegro intervened, leading to a physical altercation between the three individuals. Orellana-Carranza then left the residence but made threats that he would return. Shortly thereafter, he came back armed with a firearm and opened fire on the 17-year-old and Neithan Jadiel Montenegro, fatally striking the 15-year-old Hispanic male before fleeing the scene.
Authorities launched an immediate investigation, and over the course of the day, the Austin Police Department’s Tactical Intelligence Unit tracked Orellana-Carranza as he attempted to flee the country. Multiple law enforcement units coordinated efforts to apprehend him, successfully taking him into custody before he could escape. Orellana-Carranza was booked into the Travis County Jail and charged with first-degree murder.
This tragic incident marks Austin’s 24th homicide of 2025. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the case, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Community members can submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.
