Avery shooting suspect appears in court

AUSTIN (KXAN) - Fred Yazdi appeared in court Monday in the deadly shooting of a man near his home early this month.

Yazdi, 47, is facing murder charges in the death of Enrique Recio, 23, who  crashed his car into a retaining wall along Avery Ranch Boulevard at 2:57 a.m. on Feb. 3. He ran to Staked Plains Drive, but then returned to his vehicle but ended up going back to the same street.

According to police, Recio entered onto Yazdi's property at 11300 block of Staked Plains Drive and was confronted by Yazdi with a firearm.

Bob Phillips, Yazdi's lawyer, said his client plans to enter a plea of not guilty. The next court date is set for March 26.

”He has hired council and we intend to offer a vigorous and persuasive defense for what occurred," Phillips said.  "As far as his state of mind, I can’t offer any other comments.”

According to the property owner, he shot Recio as he was attempting to flee. At this time, investigators do not know the reason why the property owner shot the fleeing victim.

Recio's body was found on the other side of a short, metal fence across the driveway and off Yazdi's property.

Friday morning police said they were not sure what the confrontation between the two men entailed.