UPDATE: A 19-year-old man, identified as Nicholas Cole Thomas, has been charged with first-degree murder following a deadly shooting during an alleged drug deal in Del Valle, Texas. The incident unfolded on January 7, 2023, at a gas station in the 7200 block of Elroy Road, southeast of Austin.
According to the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Thomas met with two other men to purchase a THC vape cartridge. As the situation escalated, Thomas reportedly pulled out a gun inside the vehicle, allegedly attempting to rob the men. Multiple shots were fired during the encounter, leading to chaos and tragedy.
Authorities received the emergency call shortly after midnight and arrived at the scene to find Thomas with gunshot wounds. He was promptly taken to a local hospital for treatment. Tragically, a second victim, Ashwym Basil, also aged 19, was later transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 12:55 a.m.
Thomas was arrested shortly after the shooting and remains in police custody as investigations continue. This shocking incident raises urgent questions about safety and violence related to drug deals in the area.
As the community grapples with this violence, officials are urging residents to remain vigilant. The sheriff’s office has not released further details about the circumstances leading to the shooting but has confirmed that an investigation is underway.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as authorities work to uncover the full details of this tragic event.
