On April 20, 2023, at approximately 11 a.m., the Austin Police Department (APD) responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at a homeless encampment in a wooded area behind the Best Buy located in the 4900 block of the West U.S. 290 service road, near the Gaines Creek Greenbelt in Southwest Austin. Upon arrival, officers discovered 27-year-old John Powers with gunshot wounds. Despite immediate life-saving efforts, Powers was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators conducted interviews with witnesses at the scene and identified several persons of interest in connection with the homicide. However, as of October 2023, no arrests had been made, and the case remained unsolved. The APD continued to urge anyone with information to come forward, offering a reward of up to $1,000 for tips leading to an arrest.
The tragic death of John Powers marked Austin's 25th homicide of 2023. The incident highlighted ongoing concerns about safety within homeless encampments and the challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing violent crimes in these areas. The community and authorities continued to seek justice for Powers, emphasizing the importance of public assistance in solving such cases.
