Thanksgiving weekend murder in Elgin

A man was shot and killed outside his home early this morning and the shooter is on the loose.

It was 1:15 in the morning Friday, when Elgin police got a call about a robbery and shooting here at this home. They say shooting victim was 37-year old Abel Garza, who also goes by the name Raul Garcia.

“He was my cousin. It's just sad the way he got killed,” said Jose Gonzalez, Garza’s cousin.

Gonzalez says the family all gathered at another house for Thanksgiving dinner just hours earlier.  Later, police say a man walked around from the back of Garza's house and demanded money, as he sat outside with his girlfriend. There was a brief struggle. When he Garza said no, the suspect fired a bullet and left quickly.

“His girlfriend called and said he had been shot. By the time I got here, they took him to the hospital,” said Gonzalez.

He died shortly at UMC Brackenridge in Austin shortly after arriving via airlift.

“He was a nice guy and didn't have problems with anyone, not that we know of,” said Gonzalez.

Police have a person of interest at this time but nothing set in stone.

“We've had two robberies in the last ten or twelve days that may or may not be connected at this point. We're going to be looking at that as well. And see if our person of interest might be involved in some of those,” said Chief Chris Bratton, Elgin Police Department.

This is the first murder in Elgin this year. Police say they only see murders once every few years.

“It's very rare. I've never heard of anybody being murdered around here,” said Clifford Smith, Elgin resident.

Family members describe Garza as a family man.

“He was always making jokes,” said Gonzalez.

They are hoping anyone with information can come forward, and bring some closure to his family.

Although they have a person of interest, they still want you to remain on the lookout. They also are calling in help from the Texas Rangers.               

The suspect is described as a black man in his 20's, 5'9 or 10 with a medium build. If you have information call the Elgin Police Department at 512-285-5757.

Police in Elgin are asking the public for help for any information relating to a robbery and homicide. It happened on November 25 at around 1:15 a.m. at a home in the 400 block of Martin Luther King Blvd. 

Officers were responding to a call of an aggravated robbery and shooting and when they arrived they found a Hispanic male lying on the floor of the home with what appeared to be a gunshot wound.

A witness told police that the victim and another person were sitting in front of the home when they were approached by a black male wearing a dark colored hooding who demanded money.

The victim refused and the suspect took out a pistol and shot the victim. The suspect then fled the scene on foot.

The victim was taken to the hospital where he died at around 2:20 a.m. He has been identified as 35-year-old Raul Garcia.

Elgin police are asking anyone with information to call 512-285-5757.