Arrest made in architect death downtown

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Austin police have made an arrest in connection to the death of an architect who died after an altercation on Sixth Street over Labor Day weekend.

Matthew Christopher Casey, 35, died a week after suffering an injury when he was allegedly punched by the suspect, fell backwards and hit his head on the concrete.

Preston Joe Sharpnack, 22, is charged with manslaughter.

According to an arrest affidavit, witnesses told officers Casey was punched one time in the forehead and did not appear to be defending himself or expecting the punch.

In an interview with officers, Sharpnack said he and a female friend got into an argument with Casey and his group after asking the men for spare change.

Sharpnack said the men followed him and his female friend as they were walking towards the ARCH and that is where the physical altercation occurred. He told detectives he was trying to defend the woman that was with him.

APD said both Sharpnack and his friend named Renee Allison Jones are homeless. Police are still trying to find Jones for questioning about the incident.

Jones is known to frequent the downtown area, the bridge near Barton Springs and Robert E. Lee, and the Taco Bell near Barton Springs and Lamar. Police ask that anyone who knows where she is or anything about her contact APD.

Detectives were able to track Sharpnack down from tips after releasing a description featuring the “TEXAS” tattoo on Sharpnack’s back.