Austin police arrest two suspects in two homicide cases

AUSTIN, Texas - The Austin Police Department recently made two arrests in two homicide cases in November and December 2020.

On Feb. 9, 2021, APD detectives arrested 21-year-old Manuel Huerta and 33-year-old Jonathan Zavala for murder in two road rage incidents in Southeast Austin that killed Omar Munguia and Miranda Lopez. They have also been identified as two of the suspects involved in six other gun-related incidents in South Austin from September to December 2020.

APD says there is information to believe that there are additional subjects associated with Huerta and Zavala, who may have been involved or know more about these incidents.

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APD says that over the last several months, two homicides, several shootings, and numerous gun-related incidents in South Austin have been reported, all involving young men in a white or gray sedan, driving aggressively and attempting to engage the victims in a road rage type of incident. In all of the cases, the suspects were unknown to the victims, and the suspects displayed a handgun in a threatening manner, and in some cases fired at the victims.

Over the course of the investigation, APD says detectives were able to identify multiple stolen vehicles involved, as well as a small group of individuals responsible, including Huerta and Zavala.

APD held a press conference Wednesday discussing the arrests and asking for the public's help regarding any of the incidents listed below:

APD: Man shot in road rage incident in Southeast Austin dies

A man shot in a road rage incident in Southeast Austin in November has died, says the Austin Police Department. APD has released video of the suspect vehicle in the shooting.

A man shot in a road rage incident in Southeast Austin in November has died, says the Austin Police Department. APD says that the man, identified as Omar Munguia, succumbed to his injuries at St. David's South Austin Medical Center just after 5:30 p.m. on Dec. 2.

APD says that at 9:11 p.m. Nov. 25, Austin 911 received a call about a vehicle crash at Montopolis Drive and Riverside Drive. Officers arrived at the scene and found Munguia with critical injuries.

ATCEMS transported the man to an area hospital, where medical staff found that he had sustained a life-threatening gunshot wound.

Witnesses at the scene told investigators that Munguia and the occupants of a four-door white sedan had gotten into a road rage incident. Multiple shots were fired from the sedan at Munguia's vehicle while traveling eastbound on Riverside Drive from Pleasant Valley Road.

APD: Woman killed in road rage incident in Southeast Austin

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the arrest of the suspect or suspects.

The Austin Police Department is investigating a road rage incident in Southeast Austin that left a woman dead.

APD says that just after 7 p.m. on Dec. 26, Austin 911 got a call about an injured woman who had been shot during a road rage incident. Officers arrived and found her being tended to by family members and neighbors.

ATCEMS transported the woman, later identified as Miranda Lopez, to an area hospital in critical condition with life-threatening injuries. She passed away Tuesday, December 29.

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The six other gun-related incidents APD are investigating are:

September 23, 2020: APD says that a suspect in a white Honda sedan was swerving and driving recklessly behind the victim's vehicle in the 2400 block of W. Stassney Lane. The suspect followed the victim further and fired two shots from the sunroof at the victim.
October 10, 2020: APD says that a suspect in a white Honda sedan cut the complainant off for no reason and displayed a handgun at them in a threatening manner in the 2400 block of E. Riverside Drive.
November 26, 2020: APD says that a suspect in a white Honda stopped next to the victim in the 2400 block of Grove Boulevard near Riverside and began to rev the engine. A Hispanic male got out of the car and fired multiple rounds into the driver's seat area. The victim was shot resulting in non-life-threatening injuries.
November 26, 2020: APD says that two construction workers were working on a rooftop in the 6200 block of Clovis Street when they were shot at by a white sedan.
December 22, 2020: APD says that a suspect in a gray sedan engaged in aggressive driving in the 2400 block of Spirit of Texas Drive and followed the victim, shooting into her vehicle. The victim suffered serious injuries but survived.
December 24, 2020: APD says a suspect displayed a gun in a threatening manner toward the employees of a restaurant in the 3800 block of Promontory Point.