Mistaken identity shooting suspect remains on loose

The Austin Police Department said a case of mistaken identity left a man in the hospital fighting for his life and a shooting suspect remains on the loose.

Toni Taylor, Director of Burkes Supervised Living, said the scene on May 1 where she works is not usually something she sees. “The male jumped out of the vehicle and started hollering ‘Where's Teddy? Where's Teddy?’ and they told him there was nobody here by the name of Teddy,” she said.

Taylor says the apartment complex on Wheless Cove in East Austin is for men needing a "a hand up" like those on social security or with mental health issues.

“This is a place that I want them to feel safe when they come home. They need to feel like this is home, and this has definitely (blown) that out of the water right now,” Taylor said.

APD said just before 1 p.m., a SUV pulled into the driveway at the complex and a man got out and started screaming. Taylor said “One of my staff members stepped out of one the apartments upstairs just to see what all the racket was. When he stepped outside the guy ran up the stairs screaming ‘Die Teddy die’ and started shooting at him.”

The victim was apparently shot at least two times and was taken to the hospital with serious and potential life threatening injuries.

APD and Taylor said the suspect went after the wrong guy. “It was just a mistaken identity because the guy’s name is not Teddy at all. We love him and care about him, and we will be here when he gets back, whatever he needs.”

APD said the suspect is described as a heavier set black man, last seen wearing a white t-shirt and black shorts. The vehicle is described as a white or silver mid-2000s Chevy Tahoe.

Officers on the scene said they do feel it’s an isolated incident, and the public shouldn’t fear for their safety.