City of Austin, TX

04/28/2021 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/28/2021 12:20

Homicide in the 8100 block of Research Boulevard

Case: 21-1151073
Date: Sunday, April 25, 2021
Time: 5:26 p.m.
Location: 8105 Research Blvd.
Deceased: Juan Carlos Cruz, Hispanic male, born 03/15/2006
Arrested: Gregorio Vences-Benitez, Hispanic male, 18 years of age

The Austin Police Department has identified the victim in Sunday night's homicide at 8105 Research Boulevard as 15-year-old Juan Carlos Cruz. The suspect in this homicide has been arrested and identified as 18-year-old Gregorio Vences-Benitez.
On Sunday, April 25, 2021, Austin 911 received a call that a male subject was shot in the parking lot of a mobile home park located at 8105 Research Blvd. APD officers and Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on scene. Medical personnel attempted life-saving measures, but despite best efforts Juan Carlos Cruz succumbed to his wounds and was pronounced deceased at 5:50 p.m. by Dr. Pickett.
Homicide detectives and Crime Scene personnel arrived on scene and began investigating. Through witness statements it was reported that the Gregorio Vences-Benitez fled the scene prior to officers arriving.

On April 26, 2021, the Travis County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy and determined the official cause of death was a gunshot wound and the manner of death homicide.
On April 27, 2021, the Lonestar Fugitive Task Force took Vences-Benitez into custody without incident. He was booked into jail for the following warrant:
murder, 1st degree felony, $500,000 dollar bond.
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 27th homicide of 2021.