Austin shooting spree: 17-year-old suspect charged with 6 felonies

AUSTIN, Texas - The 17-year-old connected to the shooting spree that took place across Austin this past weekend had his first court appearance Tuesday. 

The backstory:

17-year-old Cristian Mondragon has been charged with six felonies. The charges include:

• Two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle
• Two counts of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle
• Theft of firearms
• Evading arrest with a motor vehicle

Prosecutors said more charges could still be coming.

He has no bond.

Dig deeper:

Inside the courtroom, it wasn’t just the criminal case getting attention. Prosecutors also brought up the fact Mondragon is not a U.S. citizen and currently has an ICE hold.

"The ICE detainer does add an extra component to his process," Criminal Defense & Immigration Attorney Robert Jimenez said.       

The judge ordered Mondragon to be held without bond on the aggravated assault charges, with prosecutors arguing he poses a danger to the community and could be deported if released.

Jimenez said that the detainer doesn’t mean ICE takes over the case right now.

"That would only kick in once he is no longer authorized to be held by state custody," Jimenez said.

Texas takes the case and if Mondragon is convicted, Jimenez said ICE could step in later, either after a prison sentence or parole.

"Before they are going to release him, ICE has the ability to come and take custody," Jimenez said.

From there, he could face removal proceedings.

Jimenez said the immigration hold also changes how the defense may approach the case.

"You might be able to get a beneficial plea agreement, but that plea agreement might still result in severe negative immigration consequences," Jimenez said.

Jimenez said with the seriousness of the charges, Mondragon could be facing a long road ahead.

Mondragon's co-defendants, the 15-and-16-year-old suspects, are going through a different justice system because they are minors.

Austin shooting spree: What happened?

Timeline:

Three suspects were arrested, which included two teens, a 15-and 16-year-old. 

APD released the identity of the third suspect, 17-year-old Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo.

During a press conference, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said a string of shootings, vehicle thefts and robberies happened across South and East Austin from May 16 and 17.

APD said at least 12 separate shootings are being investigated. The shootings struck apartment buildings, homes, businesses and two Austin Fire Department stations.

Authorities said the 17-year-old, Cristian Mondragon-Fajardo, had an active warrant for stealing a firearm from the same store where the 15-year-old allegedly stole another gun Saturday. Investigators believe the suspects stole more than four vehicles during the spree and may have switched vehicles multiple times.

Dig deeper:

Detectives believe the incidents were a mix of random and target shootings.  The suspects knew some of the victims, APD said.

Investigators do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public related to these incidents.

APD said over the course of all 12 shootings

• Four people were injured. Three victims had non-life-threatening injuries, and one victim had critical injuries and was taken to the trauma center.
• Five cars were hit by gunfire
• Four homes were hit by gunfire
• Two Austin Fire Departments were hit by gunfire
• Three Austin Fire Department trucks were hit by gunfire
• At least five cars were stolen
• One gun was stolen

APD said several investigative resources were used throughout the investigation.

At this time, investigators are still processing evidence, including shell casings, surveillance footage, stolen vehicles, and digital evidence. 

The investigation remains ongoing.  

Crime and Public SafetyAustinCrimeWatch