Homicide in the 600 block of Neches Street

Case: 21-1221645
Date: Sunday, May 2, 2021
Time: 9:41 p.m.
Location: 600 block Neches St (East alley)
Deceased: Christopher Bowser, Black male, born 07/30/1997
Arrested: Blake Washington, Black male, 56 years of age
On Sunday, May 2, 2021, 911 received a report that someone had been shot in the east alley of 6^th Street and Neches Street. When APD officers arrived they observed a subject laying in the alley with an obvious gunshot wound who was later identified as Christopher Bowser.
Austin-Travis County EMS arrived on scene and transported Bowser to Dell Seton Medical Center at the University of Texas hospital where he underwent surgery for his injuries.
Homicide detectives were called to the scene along with crime scene personnel to investigate. Investigators learned that the shooting incident was captured on video. Investigators were able to track the suspect via video to a tent located at 4^th and IH-35. The suspect, identified as Blake Washington, was detained while coming out of a tent.
Homicide detectives identified and interviewed several witnesses to the shooting. Blake Washington was positively identified as the suspect by witnesses.
Homicide detectives initially filed a charge for Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon - 2^nd Degree Felony on Washington.
On May 3, 2021 at 4:16 p.m. the victim, Christopher Bowser was pronounced clinically deceased.
On May 6, 2021, Homicide detectives filed the additional charge of Murder - 1^st Degree, $500,000 dollar bond on Washington.
On May 7, 2021 the Travis County Medical Examiner's office conducted an autopsy and ruled the cause of death as a gunshot wound and manner of death as Homicide.
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 29^th homicide of 2021.