Homicide suspect "armed and dangerous"

AUSTIN (KXAN) - More than 20 family members, friends and neighbors held a candlelight vigil in the courtyard of Whisper Woods apartments Sunday night in remembrance of Austin's 21 homicide victim, Franklin Calix Espinales, 29.

An altar adorned with faux flowers, religious candles and Espinales' picture was placed in the exact spot he was gunned down around 1:40 a.m.

"Dios te salve, María, llena eres de gracia,el Señor es contigo," recited family and friends as they worked their way through the Rosary in Spanish.

The calmess of this evening's scene different from what transpired almost 24 hours ago when officials say they received a shots fired report from the Whisper Wood Apartments, 408 East Wonsley Drive, just before 1:30 a.m.

Austin Police arrived on the scene and found Espinales shot.

Espinales was transported to UMC Brackenridge where he died.

Officers said it all began when the suspect, who is currently unidentified, pulled out a weapon in the courtyard of the apartment complex.

Neighbors said a noisy party was going on at the time.

According to APD spokesman Cpl. Perry, "That's when it turned violent. A black male shot the [victim], the black male then fled the scene running westbound on Wonsley and then back into a neighborhood area.”

Neighbors told KXAN they are not shocked a homicide happened in this area.

"People die around here all the time, it's a bad neighborhood," said Michael Maynez, a resident.  "If you are from around here you know it's a bad neighborhood."

"Killing somebody for what they have that's yours or what you think is yours, it is kind of typical and common here," explained Lauren Klinefelter, who has called this North Austin neighborhood home for 22 years.

Klinefelter won't let the 3-year-old son she has with Maynez live with them because she believes the crimes is too bad.

They are looking to move out of the area and build a better life in a safer community.

"You can walk down in the morning from 6 a.m. to 6 at night , to all hours, whatever time of the day and there's people who smoke crack, people around smoking weed," Klinefelter said.  "There have been incidents where I have seen crack pipes or little blunt roaches or whatever it may be, so it is not somewhere where I would say you would necessary want your kids to play at."

With the gunman still on the loose, Klinefelter and Maynez have more to worry about than drugs and prostitutes in their neighborhood.

They know a killer, who police call armed and dangerous, could be lurking around the corner.

"It's a little nerve-racking now because I was going to have my son come over, but that is a little creepy," Klinefelter added, who canceled her son's visit.

Klinefelter told KXAN she plans on locking her doors and hopes her neighbors follow suit.

"This could be someone we know," Klinefelter said.  "If you did this [killed] once, it will be easier to do it again."

Investigators are continuing to question witnesses to get a better idea of what the suspect looks like as the search continues. It is unknown how many people were present at the time of the shooting.

The shooting suspect is described as a black male with a heavy build, approximately 200-220 pounds and between 5'5" and 5'7" tall. He is between the ages of 30 and 40, with gold teeth and a short afro. He was last seen wearing a dark shirt and dark pants.

Police say the suspect is armed and dangerous. They ask anyone with information to call 911.

This marks Austin’s 21st homicide of the year.