On July 10, 2024, at approximately 3:34 p.m., Austin Police Department officers responded to multiple reports of a shooting at 8501 Dryfield Drive in North Austin. Upon arrival, they discovered 34-year-old Joshua Kozak with apparent gunshot wounds. Despite life-saving efforts by Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, Kozak was pronounced dead at the scene at 4:03 p.m.
Witnesses described the suspect as a Black male wearing a white sleeveless shirt and black shorts, seen fleeing through backyards in the area. Surveillance footage released by the Austin Police Department showed the suspect hopping fences while escaping.
Following an investigation, police arrested 35-year-old Joshua Williams in connection with the shooting. Williams was charged with first-degree murder and evading arrest. Court documents revealed that Williams concealed the firearm under a vehicle while fleeing the scene. He was booked into the Travis County Jail, where he remained in custody.
The motive behind the shooting was not immediately disclosed by authorities. The incident marked Austin's 32nd homicide of 2024. Police continued to urge anyone with additional information or video footage related to the case to come forward to assist in the ongoing investigation.
