Man arrested for murder in connection to homeless camp death in North Austin
AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department (APD) arrested a man in connection to a homicide in a homeless camp in North Austin.
On Monday, June 19, around 3:19 a.m., officers responded to a 911 caller who reported that their friends were fighting and one stabbed the other 13 times, an arrest affidavit says.
When officers arrived in the 1000 block of West Rundberg Lane, they were directed by witnesses to a homeless camp, where they located Joshua Daniel just a few feet from the man who was killed.
"Officers located a person with obvious signs of trauma, and he appeared to be beyond help," Austin Police Officer Alexandra Parker said.
An affidavit says Daniel told officers, "I'm not saying anything, just put the cuffs on," and officers detained him.
Joshua Daniel was charged with first degree murder.
A witness told police that Daniel called the victim an anti-gay slur before they started pushing each other.
Investigators believe Daniel then stabbed the man several times and attempted to dispose of the body by dismemberment and burning.
On July 18, Austin police identified the victim as Kindred Tutwiler.
Daniel is in the Travis County jail, charged with First Degree Murder.
On June 23, Dennis Tyrone Gum, who Austin police said was originally a witness, was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence - human corpse.
Dennis Tyrone Gum, who Austin police said was originally a witness, was arrested and charged with tampering with evidence - human corpse.
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This death is being investigated as Austin’s 33rd homicide this year, and it’s not the first one in a homeless encampment.
In April, a body was found near the Gaines Creek Greenbelt in South Austin. Police said they got a call about gunshots near the US 290 and Mopac Expressway exchange.
When they arrived, they found a man with obvious signs of trauma. He died at the scene. That death was investigated as Austin’s 25th homicide for the year.
Anyone with any information should contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.