Tragedy in Northeast Austin Last Night

A father and son were walking home from church last night in the Capital Plaza area (around Cameron Rd. and Reinli) when they were robbed. After taking everything the immigrant family had on them, the robbers shot and killed the teenage boy, in front of his father.

If you were in the area behind Popeye's Chicken and the Austin Cornerstone Church last night around 10pm and witnessed anything, please call 477-3588 (the homicide tip line) or 472-8477 (Crimestoppers). We know we're not the only ones who cut through that parking lot, and police are looking for the driver of a white SUV/truck who may have witnessed the robbery and murder while doing just that.

Police declined to identify Bohorquez's father. Both were recent immigrants and may have been targeted for that reason, police said. Immigrants, who are often afraid to approach the police for help, are frequently targeted by criminals. Police would not say from what country the father and son had moved.

In November, Austin-area law enforcement agencies started a campaign, financed by a U.S. Justice Department grant, to encourage more victims and witnesses to come forward without fear of being questioned about their immigration status. The campaign is intended to spread the message to Spanish speakers that help is available through social service organizations, churches and police.

Investigators do not ask victims or witnesses whether they are in the United States legally, Austin police spokesman Kevin Buchman said. "Immigration status does not play a role with police investigations in the City of Austin," Buchman said.