Teenager confessed to murdering Austin mother

AUSTIN, Texas - A family is still in mourning, but feeling a little bit closer to justice.

Austin police along with the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force, were able to arrest 19-year old Xavier Lewis in Pflugerville for the murder of Ebony Sheppard.

The shooting happened late Tuesday night at the Sixty 600 apartment complex in East Austin.

“He just saw her walking and figured he would rob her, get some money. That's when she started screaming and it appears he shot her at that point,” said Lt. Stan Iszewski with the Austin Police Department.

“I was inside but had I heard her scream, maybe we both would've been shot, but I would've been there for her,” said Janet Harris, Ebony’s mom.

Police tracked Lewis down because he was wearing an ankle monitor. He was forced to wear it for allegedly robbing a Sonic restaurant in 2016, and also shooting an employee, who survived.

He was out on bond for that case. “I don't understand how he was out doing what he was doing, who does that with an ankle monitor on? Who goes out killing innocent people with an ankle monitor? Who was tracking him?” said Harris.

Police say Lewis confessed he killed Ebony Sheppard, and also committed two other robberies, including a carjacking on Christmas day. “How did they let him slip through the cracks? Running around wreaking havoc all over town?” said Andrea Brown, Ebony’s aunt.

An arrest may not bring Ebony back, but for her family, it's a step toward the closure they desperately want. “Her four-year-old child is still wanting his mother,” said Harris.

The family will hold a vigil for Ebony Saturday at 5:30.

Vision of Hope AME Church.
4711 Delores Avenue.
Austin, TX 78721