On November 7, 2024, at approximately 5:54 p.m., Austin Police Department officers responded to reports of a shooting in the 6400 block of East US Highway 290 Service Road Eastbound. Upon arrival, they found 33-year-old Shelby Wayne Cody with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving measures and transportation to a local hospital, Cody was pronounced deceased at 6:25 p.m.
Investigations revealed that Cody had arrived at the location for an appointment, reportedly an anger management class at the Texas Health and Human Services Building. As he stood outside, a silver Chevrolet SUV approached, and the driver, identified as 30-year-old Lavonta Harrison, exited the vehicle and, without provocation, opened fire on Cody. Witnesses reported hearing multiple gunshots before Harrison fled the scene.
On November 12, 2024, the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force apprehended Harrison on a parole violation warrant. Subsequently, he was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Cody's death. Authorities noted that there was no indication Harrison targeted anyone other than Cody. The swift arrest was attributed to the cooperation of witnesses and the community.
At the time of his death, Shelby Cody was enrolled at Austin Community College and worked as an irrigation and landscape specialist at Cody's Irrigation and Landscaping. He was a U.S. Army veteran who served as an infantryman in Afghanistan, earning the Combat Infantry Badge among other decorations. Cody was known for his love of catfishing, especially with his father, and his close relationships with family and his girlfriend, Katie Wolf.
This incident marked Austin's 57th homicide of 2024. The community mourns the loss of a dedicated veteran and family man, while the legal proceedings against Harrison are anticipated to bring further details to light.
