A suspect is in the Travis County Jail after police said a woman was shot through the wall of an apartment on Nov. 16.
AUSTIN, Texas — The Austin Police Department (APD) arrested a man after investigators say he shot and killed a woman on Nov. 16 at a North Austin apartment complex.
According to police, 36-year-old Noah Mata has been identified as the suspect in the death of 46-year-old Jessica Shaw. Officers said the incident happened around 4 a.m. at the Espero Apartments, located on the 1900 block of Rutland Drive.
Law enforcement said they entered a unit to find a woman, later identified as Shaw, on the ground suffering several gunshot wounds. She died at roughly 4:37 a.m. despite efforts from Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services (ATCEMS) to save her.
APD detained Mata after investigators say a gunshot was fired from the unit next door. According to crime scene specialists and homicide detectives, Shaw was shot after Mata tried to take a gun from another man, causing it to fire and the bullet to go through the wall connecting the two units.
Police said in an update on Nov. 19 that Shaw was experiencing homelessness and was visiting a friend “at the time of the murder.”
Mata is currently in the Travis County Jail for First-Degree Aggravated Robbery in Austin’s 62nd homicide this year. Police said the charge is based on information investigators have at this time and was made through consultation with the Travis County District Attorney’s Office.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477 or APD at 512-974-TIPS for a possible reward of up to $1,000.
