AUSTIN, Texas — An ongoing dispute between residents in North Austin may have led to a recent deadly shooting.
Jail records show 31-year-old William Bruce was arrested following the shooting on Nov. 14 at a residential complex on Goldfinch Court, near North Lamar Boulevard.
Police said Bruce's brother-in-law called after Bruce allegedly shot someone from his porch. He also said there was a shotgun on the kitchen table inside the home. When officers arrived, Bruce allegedly admitted he fired the gun.
According to court documents, Bruce had an ongoing dispute with several residents in the area. He said he woke up to a disturbance and believed two people he'd been feuding with were trying to break in. That's when he allegedly saw 32-year-old Travis Holland and another witness passing by, leading to an argument.
Bruce claimed Holland used racial slurs at him and used the term "EBK," which Bruce said meant "everybody killer." He also claimed both people passing by were known to carry a gun.
Court documents state that Bruce got into an argument with Holland and the other witness before allegedly firing off a warning shot with his shotgun. After a second warning shot, Bruce said Holland walked away – then he said the shotgun "discharged accidentally" at Holland.
However, police said no evidence suggests Holland and the witness ever approached the back porch. Investigators found multiple shotgun shells at the scene and said Holland died from a gunshot wound to the head about 60 feet away from Bruce's back porch.
Police said no weapons or knives were found in Holland's possession. Meanwhile, Bruce has been charged with murder and felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. He's being held on a combined $500,000 bond.
