Three tragic deaths occurred on Burton Drive in southeast Austin within a span of just one week, as reported by the Austin Police Department. The first incident involved the discovery of two deceased individuals outside an apartment complex on Monday morning. The suspect, Sherles Machado-Hernandez, allegedly killed his common-law wife, Francis Kaina Anseume Corredor, and a man she was reportedly dating, Bryan Florentino Flores Alvarez.
Shortly after, about a block away, another homicide took place on Wednesday night. The body of a 20-year-old was found near the intersection of Burton Drive and Oltorf Street in the Riverside neighborhood. This incident marked the city’s 53rd homicide of the year, with authorities stating that it is unrelated to the previous double homicide.
Unfortunately, these recent tragedies are not isolated incidents on Burton Drive. Earlier in the year, on July 18, a distress call was made to 911 regarding an attempted murder. Upon arrival, Jose Ramon Lizarraga Boca Negra was found inside a residence with gunshot wounds. The following week, on July 24, Alex Trevino allegedly stabbed Javier Antonio Navarro Quesada to death just a block away. Despite life-saving efforts, Navarro Quesada succumbed to his injuries.
Burton Drive falls within City Council District 3, represented by Council Member Jose Velasquez. To address the escalating violence in the area, Velasquez introduced a budget amendment last year amounting to $500,000. This funding aimed to expand the Officer of Violence Prevention’s Community Violence Intervention Program. Currently, the community violence intervention group ATX Peace operates in the Riverside and South Pleasant Valley Communities, receiving support from the city under the Office of Violence Prevention.
ATX Peace’s mission statement underscores the importance of community-driven solutions to combat violence. By engaging individuals already embedded in these neighborhoods, including those with personal experiences related to crime, the group intervenes post-violence to prevent future incidents. Additionally, proactive violence prevention initiatives are implemented within the community.
The collaborative efforts between local authorities, community organizers, and intervention groups like ATX Peace are crucial in addressing the root causes of violence and ensuring the safety of residents in southeast Austin. By prioritizing community-led strategies and resource allocation, there is hope for a reduction in such tragic events in the future.