Rex Johnson, a 33-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in the early hours of March 31, 2025, in Austin, Texas. The incident occurred at approximately 1:51 a.m. in the 400 block of North Interstate Highway 35. According to reports, Johnson was standing next to his blind friend, who was using a cane, when two Black male suspects approached them. One suspect assaulted Johnson, knocking him to the ground, while the second suspect fired the fatal shots.
Both suspects fled east from the intersection immediately after the shooting.
Johnson was transported to a local hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries on April 3, 2025, at 1:15 p.m. The Austin Police Department launched an investigation, with Aggravated Assault Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists processing the scene and interviewing witnesses. Preliminary findings indicated that the suspects had approached from an area known as "The Island," a location described as an open-air drug market in downtown Austin. At the time of the shooting, Johnson had an unopened bag of K2, a synthetic cannabinoid, in his pocket.
Following Johnson’s death, another shooting occurred on April 9, 2025, in the 1000 block of East Cesar Chavez. The victim of this second shooting survived and provided descriptions of the suspects, identifying them as known drug dealers. The victim stated that he owed money to one of the suspects, referred to as "K.O.," and was shot in the torso after informing the suspect that he could not repay the debt. Detectives determined that the suspect in this shooting was also responsible for Johnson’s murder.
On May 12, 2025, APD homicide detectives arrested Kent Outten, a 33-year-old male, in connection with Johnson’s murder. Outten was charged with murder. Authorities linked Outten to both the March 31 and April 9 shootings through witness statements and video surveillance. The Texas Lone Star Fugitive Task Force played a critical role in Outten’s apprehension. However, the identity of the second suspect involved in Johnson’s murder remains unknown. APD continues to seek information from the public regarding the case.
