A heartbreaking family tragedy unfolded in southwest Austin on Monday, December 22, 2025, when 79-year-old Charles Wagnon and his 20-year-old grandson Trevor Shepherd fatally shot each other during an escalated dispute inside a home on the 10400 block of O’Rourk Lane.
Austin Police Department officers responded at 5:19 p.m. after a woman called to report a shooting, stating that her son and father were inside the residence. Upon arrival, first responders discovered both men with apparent gunshot wounds; despite immediate efforts by APD, emergency services, and the Austin Fire Department to save them, both were pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation quickly revealed that Charles Wagnon and Trevor Shepherd had become involved in a verbal altercation that tragically turned violent, with each man firing at the other. Homicide detectives and crime scene specialists processed the home, interviewed witnesses, and gathered evidence, confirming the sequence of events.
Police have emphasized that all parties involved are accounted for, and there is no ongoing threat to the public. The incident has been classified as Austin’s 53rd and 54th homicides of 2025, a somber milestone in a year marked by various acts of violence across the city.
Charles Wagnon, born November 28, 1946, was the grandfather in this devastating event, while Trevor Shepherd, born October 24, 2005, was his grandson. Both were identified as white males by the Austin Police Department in their official release. The generational gap between them added to the profound sorrow surrounding the loss, as what began as words exchanged in anger ended in irreversible consequences.
The southwest Austin residence where the shooting took place sits in a peaceful part of the city, surrounded by homes where families gather and daily life usually proceeds without incident. The sudden escalation from argument to gunfire has left neighbors and the wider community shaken, highlighting how quickly tensions can spiral even in familiar, safe spaces. Emergency crews worked diligently at the scene, but the severity of the injuries left no chance for survival, underscoring the finality of such moments.
This double homicide serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of life and relationships, particularly within families where emotions run deep. The Austin Police Department continues to encourage anyone with information to contact them at 512-974-TIPS or submit anonymous tips through Capital Area Crime Stoppers. In the wake of this loss, the emphasis rests on compassion for the surviving family members who must now navigate profound grief during the holiday season.