Auto pedestrian crash death now ruled a homicide

Austin police say a man who was initially believed to have died after an auto pedestrian crash was actually the victim of a homicide.

Police say on August 20th at around 3:18 a.m. officers and EMS were dispatched to the 8900 block of Galewood Drive after they received a call about someone being hurt in the parking lot after a possible auto pedestrian hit and run.

EMS tried to revive the victim but he was pronounced dead at the scene just after 3:30 a.m. Officials say the victim had obvious vehicle trauma to the body.

The victim was identified as 35-year-old Valente Garcia-Hernandez.

An autopsy was conducted on August 21st and the Travis County Medical Examiner's Office discovered the Garcia-Hernandez had been shot as well as run over. The official cause of death was from a gunshot wound and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

Homicide detectives determined through witness statements that Gustavo Sandoval Linan was responsible for Garcia-Hernandez's death. 28-year-old Linan is believed to have fled to Mexico after the shooting.

An arrest warrant has been issued for Linan for 1st degree murder and his bond has been set at $1 million.

Detectives are asking anyone with any information regarding this incident to call the Homicide Tip Line at 512-477-3588 or Crime Stoppers at 512-472-TIPS or text "Tip 103" + your message to CRIMES or use the new Crime Stoppers App. You can also submit tips by downloading APD’s mobile app, Austin PD.