South Austin shootings suspect faces new criminal charges

The only identified suspect in a string of shootings that occurred last month, 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon, is now facing additional charges, according to the Travis County District Attorney's Office. Another batch of criminal charges, including two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, six counts of deadly conduct with a discharged firearm and two counts of aggravated assault with a discharged firearm, were filed against Mondragon last week, according to court documents. Mondragon faces additional charges tied to the multiple shootings and car thefts, which include two counts of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, one count of theft of a firearm, one count of aggravated assault with a motor vehicle and one count of evading arrest. Mondragon remained in Travis County custody as of late May, according to CBS Austin. Officials told CBS Austin in late May that the judge in Mondragon's case approved their request that he remain in custody without bond after arguing he posed a danger to the community and had a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement hold. The Austin Police Department had previously identified Mondragon as one of three teenagers accused of going on a more than 24-hour series of crimes across South Austin and beyond, leaving four people shot, at least five vehicles stolen and bullet damage to two fire stations and multiple residences. An hours-long search for the three teenagers — the other two 15 and 16 years old — ended on a rural road near Manor, and a motive has yet to be determined. Only Mondragon was identified by authorities, in accordance with state statute, which generally protects those under 17 from public identification in criminal cases.