AUSTIN, Texas (TCN) — A man accused of fatally shooting six people across two counties has been deemed competent to stand trial for capital murder.
On Dec. 5, 2023, Shane James, who was 34 at the time, allegedly fatally shot his parents, Phyllis James and Shane James Sr., at their home in Bexar County, Texas. Shane James’ brother called police when he saw that his father’s car was not in the driveway. Responding officers found the couple deceased inside the home; investigators believe they had died between 10 p.m. on Dec. 4, 2023, and 9 a.m. on Dec. 5, 2023.
Later that day, in Austin, Texas — about two hours from where Shane James allegedly shot his parents — police responded to several incidents throughout the day in which several people were allegedly shot.Â
Shane James was eventually apprehended at a home during an alleged burglary in progress at about 6:48 p.m. James allegedly fired at a responding officer, wounding him. He was arrested on suspicion of capital murder and booked into jail on an outstanding family violence warrant.
In addition to his parents, James’ alleged victims were 30-year-old Emmanuel Pop Ba, 24-year-old Sabrina Rahman, 56-year-old Katherine Short, and her daughter, 30-year-old Lauren Short, KXAN reports. Three victims survived their injuries: the police officer who responded to the alleged burglary in progress, a cyclist, and an Austin Independent School District Police Department officer.
James was charged with capital murder on Dec. 6, according to police.
KXAN reports that on Oct. 26, he was ruled competent to stand trial. His attorneys have stated that their plan is to argue he is not guilty by reason of insanity due to a schizophrenia diagnosis.Â
At the competency hearing, the defense’s witness, Dr. Mollimichelle McClendon, argued that delusions experienced by James affected his thinking, ruling him unable to stand trial.Â
He had already been ruled incompetent to stand trial in 2024, and following that ruling, he was lodged in a mental hospital, per KXAN. In July 2025, the Travis County District Attorney announced that following several months in the facility, James was ruled competent by a judge to stand trial.
According to Dr. Kimberly Harrison, whom the prosecution appointed to evaluate James’ mental health, he does allegedly still hear voices but has improved since taking medication, and she believes he is fit to stand trial, per KXAN. Jury selection for his trial began the following day.
According to KSAT, if convicted, James faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.
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