Woman killed in downtown Austin identified; no charges filed: APD

AUSTIN, Texas – A woman killed in downtown Austin Monday morning has been identified, the Austin Police Department said.

On August 26, at approximately 1:38 a.m., police were called to a report of a woman bleeding in the alley of the 500 block of East 6th Street.

When officers arrived, they found a woman lying on the ground with blood on her shirt. She was later identified as Shannon Smith, 42. She died from her injuries.

APD officers were stopped by someone who claimed to know who was responsible. Officers later found Gregory Watkins, 54, in a wheelchair.

Watkins told police that Smith approached him with a knife and robbed him of his money and drugs. Watkins then punched Smith once, and it appeared he was holding a metal rod, police said.

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The Travis County District Attorney's Office has reviewed the case and no charges have been filed at this time. However, this case remains under investigation.

Watkins was questioned and released.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You can submit your information anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477. A reward of up to $1,000 may be offered for information leading to an arrest.