No murder charges after fatal shooting in Buda

BUDA – Hays County Criminal District Attorney Kelly Higgins has announced that no murder charges will be filed against a 21-year-old man who shot and killed a 17-year-old in Buda on Aug. 5.

On August 5, at approximately 5:17 p.m., a shooting occurred in a drainage area behind homes in the 800 block of Shadow Creek Boulevard in Buda. Hays County Sheriff's Office officers responded and found 17-year-old Erick Alejandro Marin, who had been shot and later died at the scene.

Investigators obtained two videos of the shooting that had been filmed by people who were present. According to a Hays County press release, the video showed that two groups of men had met at the location to fight. A teenage relative of Marin was fighting with a 21-year-old man. During the fight, Erick Marin pulled out a handgun and began shooting at the 21-year-old. A teenage male from the opposing group returned fire before the 21-year-old grabbed the gun and shot Marin, killing him.

Marin was the first person to pull out a gun and fire it, the news release said. Prosecutors reviewed all of the evidence and concluded that the shooting that killed Marin was justified under Texas self-defense and defense of a third person laws. The case was presented to a grand jury on August 28, which found the shooting was justified and voted not to indict the case.

The other juveniles present and involved may face charges for other conduct.