On the evening of December 21, 2024, at approximately 9:25 p.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to reports of a shooting at the Chevy Chase Apartments, located at 2504 Huntwick Drive in southeast Austin. Upon arrival, officers discovered 34-year-old Mario Damian-Rayas unresponsive in the front seat of a vehicle, suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene at 9:32 p.m.
Preliminary investigations by Homicide Detectives and Crime Scene Specialists indicate that Mr. Damian-Rayas was shot while inside his vehicle by an unidentified suspect who subsequently fled the area. The APD has released an image of a person of interest in connection with this case, described as a Hispanic male in his 20s or 30s. In the image, the individual is seen wearing a black, red, and white hat with a red rim, a gray Reebok sweatshirt, dark pants, and black and white Nike shoes.
As of now, no arrests have been made, and the suspect remains unidentified. The APD is actively seeking assistance from the public to identify and locate the person of interest. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information leading to an arrest.
This incident marks Austin's 70th homicide of 2024. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities are diligently working to apprehend the individual responsible for Mr. Damian-Rayas's death. Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any relevant information to assist in the resolution of this case.
