City of Austin, TX

08/04/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/04/2021 02:39

Homicide in the 7300 block of Bluff Springs Rd.

Case: 21-0960013
Date: Tuesday, April 6, 2021
Time: 12:26 a.m.
Location: 7330 Bluff Springs Rd.
Deceased: Ramesh Thapa, Asian male, born 08/14/1981
Arrested: Francois O'Neal, Black male, 23 years of age
On Tuesday, April 6, at approximately 12:26 a.m., Austin 911 received a call about a male subject that had been shot in the parking lot of the apartment complex located at 7330 Bluff Springs Rd. Austin-Travis County EMS and APD officers arrived on the scene. Despite life savings efforts, the victim succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased at 12:49 a.m. by Dr. Escott.
Homicide investigators and crime scene personnel arrived on the scene and began to investigate. According to witnesses, the suspect was seen leaving the apartment complex in a white four-door sedan.
The Travis County Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy and determined the official cause of death to be gunshot wound and the manner homicide.
Through further investigation, homicide detectives were able to identify a suspect, Francois O'Neal. O'Neal was found with a weapon in his possession that matched the ballistics to the murder scene. The ballistics also matched shell casings recovered from a shooting that occurred on April 5, 2021, just 24 hours earlier at 12820 N. Lamar Blvd. The victim's shooting injuries in that case were not life threatening.
On April 7, 2021, arrest warrants were obtained on O'Neal for first degree felony murder and second degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon - serious bodily injury. O'Neal was arrested by the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force later that same evening. His bond has been set at $1,000,000 ($750,000 for homicide and $250,000 for aggravated assault).
Detectives are asking anyone with information or video of the incident to call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS, email [email protected], utilize the Crime Stoppers tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), or the Crime Stoppers app. You may remain anonymous.
You can also submit tips by downloading APD's mobile app, Austin PD, free on iPhone and Android.
This is Austin's 22nd homicide of 2021.

Booking Photo of Francois O'Neal: