On October 3, 2023, at approximately 11:54 p.m., Austin Police Department officers responded to a call reporting a possible deceased person at 1101 Cumberland Road in South Austin. Upon arrival, they discovered 20-year-old Rickye Bernard Henderson Jr. unresponsive inside a vehicle, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. Despite immediate medical attention, Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene.
Witnesses present at the scene identified Willie Jones, also 20 years old, as the individual responsible for the shooting. According to their accounts, Henderson was seated in the vehicle when Jones produced a black handgun and shot him. One witness reported wrestling the firearm away from Jones before fleeing. Jones was apprehended by Austin Police officers as he attempted to leave the scene.
Subsequently, Willie Jones was charged with first-degree murder in connection with Henderson's death. He was booked into the Travis County Jail with bonds set at over $1 million. This incident marked Austin's 50th homicide of 2023. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have urged anyone with additional information to contact the Austin Police Department or submit tips anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program.
In the wake of this tragedy, Henderson's family and friends remembered him for his infectious smile and gentle spirit. A graduate of Lyndon B. Johnson High School in May 2021, he was known for his love of sports, lifting weights, and spending time with loved ones. His untimely death has left a profound void in the community, as those who knew him mourn the loss of a young man who never met a stranger and always saw the good in people.
