Elgin ISD identifies current, former students as NW Austin shooting victims

AUSTIN, Texas - Elgin Independent School District says a former Elgin ISD student and a current Elgin High School senior were two of the victims in the April 18 deadly shooting in Northwest Austin.

Elgin ISD Superintendent Dr. Jodi Duron said in a statement that Willie Simmons III and Alyssa Broderick were killed in the shooting near the Arboretum that left three people dead.

Broderick was "an excellent student and athlete" and an Elgin ISD student in the Early College High School program from 2009 to October 2020 before withdrawing. She also played girls' basketball. 

Simmons III was an Elgin High School senior and "an exceptional young man and leader among his peers. Strong, both academically and athletically, he represented the very best of Elgin ISD." He was the captain of the football team and was recruited to play football for the University of North Texas.

The district says it has counselors and trained professionals available via in person/virtually to assist students, staff, and families during this time.

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The full statement is as follows:

We are heartbroken by the news of this senseless tragedy, and we extend our deepest condolences to the families of Willie Simmons III and Alyssa Broderick. 
Although

Alyssa withdrew from Elgin ISD back in the fall, she was an Elgin ISD student from 2009 to October 2020.  She was an excellent student and athlete, enrolled in our Early College High School program and played on our girls’ basketball team. 

Willie was a senior at Elgin High School.  He was an exceptional young man and leader among his peers.  Strong, both academically and athletically, he represented the very best of Elgin ISD.  He was the Captain of our football team; a friend to everyone he met; and most recently, recruited to play football for the University of North Texas.

The Elgin ISD community grieves the loss of these two young, promising souls.

In response to this tragedy, the district will have counselors and trained professionals available via in person and/or virtually to assist students, staff, and families in this time of grief.
 
Dr. Jodi Duron, Elgin ISD Superintendent

Elgin High School Principal Ricardo Reyes also released a statement saying "our sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of these fine young adults. As a tight-knit community, events such as these deeply affect us all."  

The full statement from Reyes is as follows:

Dear Elgin ISD Families,

It is with great sadness that I write this letter to inform you of the death of a current senior at Elgin High School, Willie Simmons III. Sunday afternoon we learned that Willie was killed in a horrible and senseless act of violence. With him was former Elgin ISD student and friend Alyssa Broderick, who was also killed.  Our sincere condolences go out to the families and friends of these fine young adults.  

As a tight-knit community, events such as these deeply affect us all.  Of course, we are especially concerned about the emotional impact of this situation on the many students who knew and loved them.  In response to this tragedy, we plan to have counselors and trained professionals available to respond to the needs of our students, families, and staff  on campus and via virtual meetings throughout the week, as needed. To schedule time with a counselor, please access this link. 

In addition, we would encourage you to talk with your children about their feelings to help them work through their grief and emotions.

As we move forward during this time of grief, please keep your thoughts and prayers with the families impacted by this tragedy. 
In the meantime, we remain as always,  One Town, One Team, and One Family. 

Sincerely,
Ricardo Reyes
EHS Principal

The third victim in the shooting, a woman, has not been officially identified at this time.

SUSPECT IN CUSTODY

Authorities say they have taken 41-year-old Stephen Broderick into custody. Manor Police Department Chief Ryan Phipps says they arrested Broderick just before 8 a.m. this morning. Phipps says two people called police saying there was a suspicious person walking on Old Kimbro Road.

Phipps says police sent an unmarked vehicle to confirm the identification of Broderick and marked units were sent when Broderick's identity was confirmed.

Broderick was ordered to stop by officers and police say he complied without incident.

Police had been looking for Broderick and had expanded their efforts to outside Austin and classified it as a "fugitive" search. Officials believe it was a domestic dispute and say Broderick knew the victims but have not officially confirmed how

Broderick is a former Travis County Sheriff's Office employee. He was charged in June 2020 with sexually assaulting a child but was released on bond.

Police say Broderick is believed to have targeted Simmons III, Alyssa, and the other victim just before noon on April 18. The investigation revealed that Ms. Broderick and the suspect were meeting for a scheduled visit with their son when the collision occurred, and Mr. Broderick fired shots, killing all three victims, before fleeing the scene. The couple’s son, who was present during the shooting, but physically unharmed, was later located away from the scene where he was turned over to APD officers.

Over the course of the afternoon, a massive search fanned out by air and by foot with 75 FBI agents joining police to help with the investigation.