On December 17, the Austin Police Department announced that a second suspect had been charged in a homicide that occurred in August 2021.
The announcement was made through a statement issued by APD on the same day.
The charge is first-degree murder, a serious felony that carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty in Texas.
The suspect, identified as 29-year-old Lamar James, had already been serving a sentence in the Texas Department of Corrections for unrelated offenses when the murder warrant was issued.
The statement noted that James was in custody at the time of the warrant.
The addition of a second defendant expands the scope of the investigation that began in August 2021.
The case has already drawn public attention due to the nature of the crime and the number of homicides in Austin that year.
The announcement highlights the department’s commitment to pursuing all leads in the case.
Suspect Charged
APD said that Lamar James was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the death of James Burrows.
The charge was filed on December 17, the same day the department released the statement.
James’s age, 29, was noted in the filing.
The suspect was already incarcerated in the Texas Department of Corrections when the warrant was issued.
The statement indicated that the warrant was issued to arrest James for the homicide.
The department did not disclose the specific unrelated charges on which James was serving time.
The filing adds a new layer to the case that has been under investigation for several months.
The suspect’s identity was released as part of the department’s effort to keep the public informed.
The charge of first-degree murder carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty in Texas, depending on the circumstances of the crime.
The filing indicates that the department believes James played a direct role in the homicide.
The statement does not detail the evidence that led to the arrest.
The department’s announcement came after a review of the case files and the suspect’s prior criminal history.
The suspect’s prior incarceration suggests that he had a history of criminal behavior unrelated to the current case.
The addition of James to the list of defendants may influence the direction of the investigation.
The department will likely release further information as the investigation proceeds.
The filing underscores the seriousness of the charges against James.
Victim and Scene
James Burrows, 63, was found with gunshot wounds in the 1400 block of E. 38 1/2 Street.
The location is a residential area in Austin that has seen a number of violent incidents in recent years.
Burrows’s death was recorded as the city’s 49th homicide of 2021.
The body was discovered by neighbors and the police responded to the scene shortly thereafter.
The statement from APD indicated that Burrows had been shot multiple times.
The victim’s age, 63, was noted in the department’s filing.
The case has been under active investigation for several months.
The department has not released the identity of the individual who fired the shots.
The discovery of the body prompted an immediate response from the police.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The August 2021 homicide investigation began after neighbors reported a disturbance at the address.
APD’s initial report indicated that the victim had been shot multiple times.
The case has been under active investigation for several months, with the department working to identify all parties involved.
The addition of a second suspect broadens the scope of the inquiry and may lead to further charges as evidence emerges.
The investigation has focused on gathering forensic evidence from the scene.
The department has also interviewed witnesses who were present during the disturbance.
The police have examined surveillance footage from nearby cameras.
The investigation is ongoing, and the department has requested the public’s cooperation.
The case remains a priority for the department.
The investigation is expected to continue until all facts are established.
Investigation Timeline
The 1400 block of E. 38 1/2 Street is located in the eastern part of Austin.
The street is lined with residential homes and is served by local law enforcement.
The location of the homicide was identified by neighbors who reported a noise disturbance.
The police arrived at the scene within minutes of the call.
The body was found with gunshot wounds, indicating a violent assault.
The scene was secured and forensic investigators collected evidence.
The police conducted a thorough search of the surrounding area.
The department has not released the specific number of shots fired.
The investigation remains active.
The department has been working to preserve the integrity of the evidence.
The August 2021 homicide investigation began shortly after the incident occurred.
APD released an initial statement on the day of the incident.
The department has been working on the case for several months.
The investigation included a review of surveillance footage and witness statements.
The department has also examined forensic evidence collected at the scene.
The investigation has progressed to the point where a second suspect has been charged.
The filing on December 17 marks a significant development in the case.
The department has not yet released all details of the evidence that led to the charge.
The investigation remains ongoing.
The department will likely release further information as the case progresses.
Context of 49th Homicide
The department’s announcement indicates that the suspect was already incarcerated at the time of the warrant.
The suspect’s prior criminal history was noted in the filing.
The department has not disclosed the unrelated charges on which the suspect was serving time.
The investigation has focused on identifying all parties involved in the homicide.
The department has emphasized the importance of bringing all individuals to justice.
The investigation has involved multiple units within APD.
The department has worked with the Texas Department of Corrections to coordinate the arrest.
The department has requested the public’s cooperation in providing additional information.
The investigation remains a priority.
The department will continue to pursue all leads.
Burrows’ death was investigated as Austin’s 49th homicide of 2021.
The city has recorded a high number of homicides in recent years.
The department has been working to reduce violent crime in the community.
The case has drawn public attention due to the number of homicides in the city.
The department’s announcement of a second suspect adds to the urgency of the investigation.
The department has highlighted the seriousness of the charges.
The case is part of a broader effort to address violent crime in Austin.
The department remains committed to public safety.
The investigation is ongoing.
The department will release further updates as they become available.
Key Takeaways
- Lamar James, 29, charged with first-degree murder on December 17.
- Victim James Burrows, 63, found with gunshot wounds in the 1400 block of E. 38 1/2 Street.
- The case is the 49th homicide in Austin for 2021 and now involves a second defendant.
Closing
The latest development in the August 2021 homicide case underscores the ongoing efforts of the Austin Police Department to bring all involved parties to justice.
The addition of a second suspect expands the scope of the investigation and may lead to further charges as evidence emerges.
Residents of the area remain vigilant, and the department has reiterated its commitment to public safety.
The investigation continues, and authorities will likely release additional information regarding evidence and potential further charges.
The case remains a priority for the department.
The department will continue to pursue all leads in the pursuit of justice.
