AUSTIN (KXAN) — A 17-year-old was arrested Tuesday in connection with a murder that happened at a northeast Austin Waffle House in June, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.
The Austin Police Department responded to the Waffle House at 12304 Dessau Road following a report that two people has been shot, one of them fatally. Police later identified the person who died as Tyekeisha Lewis, 25.
Police said a group of males were arguing with another group that the two victims were with. The suspects shot Lewis and left the scene. The other person who was shot was in stable condition a few days later, according to police.
APD released information seeking public help to identify male suspects who were wanted in connection with the murder. Several tips were sent to police about the suspects, and the agency continued its investigation by speaking with witnesses and obtaining surveillance footage from nearby businesses.
The affidavit identified one of those suspects as Jose Guadalupe Lopez Coyote, 17.
What led to the arrest
Coyote was arrested Tuesday on a charge of murder and appeared in the 331st District Court Wednesday, his attorney Charles F. Baird said. Baird provided KXAN with a statement, saying his client was not responsible for the woman’s death.
Jose Guadalupe Lopez Coyote is in no way responsible for the death of Tykeisha Lewis.
We learned there was a warrant for Jose’s arrest two weeks ago. At that time, we began working with law enforcement and the Travis County District Attorney’s Office for Jose to self-surrender, so he could post bail and the case could be resolved in a timely manner.
I am confident that after a thorough and complete investigation, Jose will be exonerated in connection with Ms. Lewis’ death.
We are saddened by the death of Ms. Lewis and send our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones.
Charles F. Baird, attorney for Jose Guadalupe Lopez Coyote
Online court records could not verify his bond amount, or if he was still in jail.
Witnesses told police Coyote was part of the group at the Waffle House when the murder happened, the affidavit said.
One of the alleged shooters was described “as being of shorter stature,” according to the affidavit. Both Coyote and the other alleged suspect were described as wearing “dark hoodie sweaters.”
Additionally, witnesses told police there was a black Dodge Durango SUV at the Waffle House prior to the shooting, according to the affidavit. Through tips given to police, they were able to track down the driver of the SUV.
The driver admitted to being at the Waffle House but said they left for a restaurant on Interstate 35. Police obtained footage from the restaurant, which corroborated the driver’s story, according to the affidavit.
While the driver was not arrested in connection with the murder, the footage revealed Coyote had called the driver shortly after the time the homicide happened and was also seen on surveillance footage meeting up with the driver at the restaurant.
That footage also showed Coyote and the other suspect wearing the same dark hoodie witnesses told police the alleged shooters at the Waffle House were wearing, according to the affidavit.
