Topline: A South Austin woman was found fatally shot before dawn and police say her roommate is now charged with murder.
Published: July 14, 2026 2:30 pm ET
Shawn Fletcher
Committed to the craft of journalism and am driven by my desire to inform and inspire.
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Donald Pyle (via Austin Police)
AUSTIN, TX — A South Austin woman was found fatally shot before dawn Saturday, and police say her roommate has now been arrested on a murder charge.
Austin police said officers responded just before 5 a.m. to a reported shooting in the 8300 block of Empress Boulevard in the Grand Oaks neighborhood near Menchaca Road. When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound inside the residence.
According to KXAN, the woman was pronounced dead at 5:11 a.m. Saturday. Police later announced that 42-year-old Donald Pyle had been arrested in connection with the homicide and charged with murder. Investigators said Pyle is accused of shooting and killing his roommate.
Authorities have not publicly released the woman’s name or described what led to the shooting. Police also had not outlined a motive or any additional circumstances around the case by Monday afternoon, leaving the homicide investigation centered on what happened inside the home in the hours before officers were called.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Roommate Arrested After Woman Found Shot to Death in South Austin
A South Austin woman was found fatally shot before dawn and police say her roommate is now charged with murder.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 14, 2026 2:30 pm ET
Donald Pyle (via Austin Police)
AUSTIN, TX — A South Austin woman was found fatally shot before dawn Saturday, and police say her roommate has now been arrested on a murder charge.
Austin police said officers responded just before 5 a.m. to a reported shooting in the 8300 block of Empress Boulevard in the Grand Oaks neighborhood near Menchaca Road. When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound inside the residence.
According to KXAN, the woman was pronounced dead at 5:11 a.m. Saturday. Police later announced that 42-year-old Donald Pyle had been arrested in connection with the homicide and charged with murder. Investigators said Pyle is accused of shooting and killing his roommate.
Authorities have not publicly released the woman’s name or described what led to the shooting. Police also had not outlined a motive or any additional circumstances around the case by Monday afternoon, leaving the homicide investigation centered on what happened inside the home in the hours before officers were called.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Roommate Arrested After Woman Found Shot to Death in South Austin
A South Austin woman was found fatally shot before dawn and police say her roommate is now charged with murder.
By Shawn Fletcher
Published: July 14, 2026 2:30 pm ET
Donald Pyle (via Austin Police)
AUSTIN, TX — A South Austin woman was found fatally shot before dawn Saturday, and police say her roommate has now been arrested on a murder charge.
Austin police said officers responded just before 5 a.m. to a reported shooting in the 8300 block of Empress Boulevard in the Grand Oaks neighborhood near Menchaca Road. When officers arrived, they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound inside the residence.
According to KXAN, the woman was pronounced dead at 5:11 a.m. Saturday. Police later announced that 42-year-old Donald Pyle had been arrested in connection with the homicide and charged with murder. Investigators said Pyle is accused of shooting and killing his roommate.
Authorities have not publicly released the woman’s name or described what led to the shooting. Police also had not outlined a motive or any additional circumstances around the case by Monday afternoon, leaving the homicide investigation centered on what happened inside the home in the hours before officers were called.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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