City of Austin
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASERelease Date:
Contact: APD Public Information Police 512-974-5017 Email
Case: 22-3030386
Date: Sunday, October 30, 2022
Time: 4:53 a.m.
Location: 617 E 7th St
Deceased: Demetrius James Lee Jones, Black male, 6/21/2000
Suspect: Ja Vaughn Katrell Clarke, Black male, 21-years-old
(Booking photo from previous arrest: October 2020)
On Sunday, October 30, 2022, at approximately 4:53 a.m., Austin Police Department (APD) officers responded to a shooting near the Swing Hookah Lounge located at 617 E 7th St. When officers arrived, they found Demetrius James Lee Jones, in the street with gunshot wounds. Jones died on the scene.
Homicide detectives and Crime Scene Specialists responded to investigate. Detectives say Jones and another man, Ja Vaughn Katrell Clarke, argued. When Jones tried to leave, he was shot by Clarke, who fled the scene.
An arrest warrant for 1st-degree Murder has been issued for Clarke, who detectives are still trying to find.
Anyone with information or video of the incident should call APD Homicide at 512-974-TIPS; the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at 512-472-8477 (TIPS), use the new Crime Stoppers App or email APD Homicide at homicide.apd@austintexas.gov. You may remain anonymous.
This case is being investigated as Austin's 59th homicide of 2022.