APD searching for suspect in deadly downtown shooting

AUSTIN, Texas (FOX 7 Austin) - Shots rang out on 6th Street and Sabine Street early Friday morning. When Austin Police arrived they found 29-year-old Derrick Armstrong shot multiple times.

Armstrong was rushed to the hospital where he later died and his shooter nowhere to be found.

Police spoke with witnesses and reviewed business surveillance cameras showing Armstrong arguing with 19-year-old Ronnie Joe Hardeman. After a short while Hardeman left and returned with different clothes on.

He continued to argue with Armstrong, pulled out a weapon and shot him before he took off.

Sgt. Tracy Gerrish said the police department is actively looking for Hardeman. He is considered armed and dangerous. "I believe that people are probably hiding him or helping him hide,” Sgt. Gerrish said. “We are hoping that anyone who knows where he might be lying his head down will let us know."

There is a heavy police presence downtown at this time, following several violent incidents in the entertainment district. "We have a 100% staffing downtown, and we will continue to have 100% staffing downtown,” said Gerrish. "I hope that it is deterring crime, we have several units from organized crime unit, all of our downtown officers are fully staffed, so we are hoping a bigger police presence is keeping crime down."

Although the shooting was an isolated incident, police are asking people to remain vigilant downtown. There is a warrant for Hardeman’s arrest for first degree murder with a bond of $200,000. If anyone has any information about Hardeman, they are asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS

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