Suspect Sought In Fatal North Austin Shooting

AUSTIN, TX — Police on Monday identified the driver who was found mortally wounded from gunfire in North Austin on Saturday while inside his car.

Police wrote in an advisory that officers responded just before 5:40 a.m. to a report of shots fired in the 7100 block of North Interstate 35 service road, where they found 22-year-old Rafael Solorzano inside a white Ford SUV that appeared to have crashed into a chain-link fence. Austin-Travis County EMTs arrived on the scene to provide medical treatment before transporting the man to a Dell Seton Medical Center, police said.

Sanchez was pronounced dead just before 6:20 a.m.

According to the police advisory, witnesses reported a suspect seen shooting into the victim's car as it traveled through the Denny's/Motel 6 parking lot. The suspect then fled on foot into the motel corridors, according to police. The Travis County Medical Examiner ruled the manner of death as a homicide from a gunshot wound, according to police, who said the case remains under investigation.

Police released surveillance camera images of the suspect. Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call APD Homicide at (512) 974-TIPS, email homicide.apd@austintexas.gov, utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at (512) 472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app. Police noted those submitting tips have the option of remaining anonymous.

Police are offering a reward of up to $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Tips also can be submitted by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.

Police said the incident marked Austin’s eighth homicide of 2021.