Shannon Smith Obituary, Death – The Austin Police Department has identified the woman who was killed in downtown Austin on Monday morning. The incident occurred on August 26, around 1:38 a.m., when officers were flagged down about a woman bleeding in an alley in the 500 block of East 6th Street. Upon arrival, officers found 42-year-old Shannon Smith lying on the ground with blood on her shirt. Smith later died from her injuries.
During the investigation, a bystander approached the police, claiming to know the person responsible for Smith’s injuries. Officers later located 54-year-old Gregory Watkins, who uses a wheelchair. According to Watkins, Smith had approached him with a knife and robbed him of his money and drugs. In response, Watkins admitted to striking Smith once, reportedly with a metal rod he was holding at the time.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office reviewed the case, and no charges have been filed against Watkins at this point. The case remains under investigation, and Watkins was interviewed and subsequently released.
The Austin Police Department is urging anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Tips can be reported anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for information that leads to an arrest.