A Killeen teenager faces a capital murder charge in connection with a Jan. 28 shooting in North Austin that killed two Jarrell High School students.
Christijan Deshaun Stevens, 19, was arrested in Killeen on Wednesday by officers from the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, Killen Police Department and U.S. Marshals Task Force.
Other victims, now totaling six, were wounded in the shooting that occurred at about 10:17 p.m. at the Moon Palace Hookah Lounge, 12646 Research Boulevard in North Austin, Austin police officials said Monday.
Brayden Bolyard, a 17-year-old Jarrell ISD student, died at the scene despite life-saving measures taken. Four other people were transported to local hospitals.
On Feb. 1, Jaitron Tatum, another Jarrell ISD student, died from his injuries, the Austin Police Department said.
The department also announced that Stevens was identified as a person of interest after the shooting. Police said he had prior history with one of the victims.
Stevens remains in the Bell County Jail and will be transferred to Travis County. He is charged with capital murder of multiple persons, a capital felony, and murder, a first-degree felony. His bond is set at $4.5 million, jail records show.
Austin police said Monday that its investigators worked with Killeen police, who were instrumental in discovering that Stevens had attended the same high school as the victims in the shooting.
In a letter to the community in January, Jarrell ISD said “it’s been a day of grieving and profound loss for our community.”
Counselors and mental health providers from Bluebonnet Trails Community Services are available on campus this week to help students in need of support, the district said.
“Grief comes in many forms and at different times for everyone,” Jarrell ISD said in a statement. “Allowing children to express their feelings is important. Some students may feel sadness, some may feel anger, some may feel loneliness, and some may feel nothing. Our students need to know that however they are feeling is okay.”
The district also offered its condolences.
“Our hearts and prayers are with their families and loved ones,” the district said. “We ask you to join us in keeping these grieving families in your thoughts during this time.”
