On March 18, 2023, at approximately 7:03 a.m., Austin Police Department officers responded to a report of a shooting in the 300 block of Deen Avenue in North Austin. Upon arrival, they discovered 30-year-old Barry Charles Dockery Jr. lying in the backyard of a residence with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency medical services attempted life-saving measures, but Dockery was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations revealed that Dockery had been in the front yard when he was shot multiple times. After being shot, he managed to walk to the backyard before collapsing. The incident was classified as Austin's 17th homicide of 2023.
In the days following the shooting, law enforcement agencies intensified their efforts to apprehend those responsible. On March 23, 2023, members of the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force and the U.S. Marshals Service arrested 32-year-old Brittney Curry in connection with Dockery's murder. She was charged with first-degree murder.
Subsequently, on April 4, 2023, authorities arrested a second suspect, 33-year-old Kendra Johnson, in San Marcos. She was also charged with first-degree murder in connection with Dockery's death.
As the investigation progressed, a third suspect was identified. On June 21, 2023, the Austin Police Department announced they were searching for 36-year-old Steve Gregory Bryant in connection with Dockery's murder. Bryant was described as 6 feet tall and weighing 205 pounds. Authorities urged anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact the police.
Dockery's death had a profound impact on his family and the local community. On April 1, 2023, which would have been his 31st birthday, family and friends gathered for a balloon release to honor his memory. His mother, Renesia Francis, expressed her grief, stating, "It's hard as the days go by that he's not here." Dockery was remembered as a loving father of two children, with family members recalling his love for music and his caring nature.
The arrests of Curry and Johnson, and the ongoing search for Bryant, underscore the commitment of law enforcement to bring those responsible for Dockery's death to justice. The investigation remains active, with authorities continuing to seek information to ensure all involved parties are held accountable.
