On October 1, 2024, at approximately 2:40 a.m., 17-year-old Nathan Ockleberry was fatally shot in a parking lot at 12636 Research Boulevard in northwest Austin, Texas. Upon arrival, Austin Police Department officers found Ockleberry and another male with gunshot wounds; Ockleberry was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after 3:00 a.m. A third individual later presented with non-life-threatening injuries related to the incident.
Investigations revealed that a large group had convened in the parking lot, where a disturbance escalated into a shooting. The confrontation reportedly began when a white Chevrolet pickup truck collided with a Nissan Altima while parking. An occupant of the Nissan indicated that her companions sought compensation for the damages, leading to a physical altercation when the truck driver declined to pay. Surveillance footage suggested that while the truck driver was armed, he did not initiate the shooting. Instead, it is believed that an associate of the truck driver fired at the group following the altercation. The truck driver sustained a gunshot wound to the elbow and subsequently drove himself to the hospital.
In connection with the case, 21-year-old Adrianna Lynn Gutierrez, an occupant of the Nissan, was arrested on October 2 and charged with tampering with or fabricating physical evidence after allegedly moving the vehicle post-incident. She was released on October 4. Her attorney expressed confidence in her innocence and anticipation for the judicial process.
The primary suspect in Ockleberry's death remains at large. Police have described the individual as a Black or Hispanic male in his late 20s to early 30s, last seen wearing a white baseball cap and a dark hoodie. The Austin Police Department has released video footage of the suspect and is appealing to the public for assistance. A reward of up to $1,000 is offered for information leading to an arrest.
This incident marks Austin's 49th homicide of 2024. Authorities continue to investigate and urge anyone with information to contact the Austin Police Department or submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.
