In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 27, 2026, a family gathering in the Austin's Colony neighborhood of eastern Travis County took a tragic turn, ending in the death of 48-year-old Lonnie Jerome White. Friends and family had convened at the home White shared with his long-term girlfriend on Retha Pass around 11 p.m. the previous evening. Among those present was Michael Scott Crawford, 47, the brother of White's girlfriend, who had arrived with his two teenage daughters.
As the night wore on and alcohol was consumed, an argument reportedly broke out among some of the women at the party, which then escalated into a heated confrontation between White and Crawford.
The dispute spilled out into the front yard and driveway, where the confrontation became physical. According to witness statements detailed in an arrest affidavit, Crawford allegedly struck a barbecue pit with a baseball bat, and White retrieved a pole or metal bar from the garage. Crawford's sister intervened, and White went back inside the house while others attempted to convince Crawford to leave. Accounts of what happened next vary. One witness claimed White emerged with a dumbbell held over his head, while others stated they did not see a dumbbell but saw White throw a punch at Crawford just before the fatal shots were fired. In the driveway of his home, White was shot, suffering gunshot wounds to the head. A witness reported that after the shooting, Crawford stood over White and said, "I told you not to mess with me."
Travis County sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the residence at approximately 3:29 a.m. following reports of gunshots and screaming. Upon arrival, they discovered Lonnie Jerome White in the driveway with gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene less than twenty minutes later. Michael Scott Crawford remained at the location and was taken into custody at 3:36 a.m. Investigators found a. 38 caliber Smith and Wesson snub-nose revolver in the street near Crawford's vehicle. Crawford was subsequently charged with murder. He was later released from custody after posting a $150,000 surety bond. The conditions of his release include a prohibition from possessing firearms and the requirement to wear a GPS tracking device. As the case is in its early stages, there have been no further legal proceedings such as a trial, conviction, or sentencing. The investigation represents an isolated incident between individuals who knew each other.
