On the evening of Sunday, March 30, 2025, at approximately 10:13 p.m., Austin Police Department officers responded to multiple 911 calls reporting a shooting in the 6400 block of Bradsher Drive in South Austin. Upon arrival, officers discovered 16-year-old Matthew Pichardo, a Hispanic male, lying unresponsive on the ground outside a residence with apparent gunshot wounds.
Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Matthew Pichardo was pronounced dead at the scene at 10:34 p.m.
Matthew Pichardo was a former student at Crockett Early College High School. In a letter to families, Principal Shana King expressed deep sorrow over his death, stating, 'Matthew was a valued part of our Crockett family who was cared for by many.' The school provided additional counseling services to support students and staff in the aftermath of the tragedy.
The investigation revealed that Matthew Pichardo was shot by another juvenile male who fled the scene immediately after the incident. Within a few hours, the juvenile suspect turned himself in to the Gardner Betts Juvenile Center. Due to his age, the suspect's identity has not been released. He has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of Matthew Pichardo.
This incident marks Austin's 10th homicide of 2025. The Austin Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting and urges anyone with information to contact them at 512-974-TIPS. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477, with a potential reward of up to $1,000 for information leading to an arrest.
