A man is facing multiple felony charges after a shooting Monday morning near the Austin-Washington County line left one person injured.
According to the Austin County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded during the morning hours of June 8 to a reported shooting in the 10000 block of Highway 36 North. When law enforcement officers arrived, they found a male victim suffering from a gunshot wound to the foot.
Austin County EMS provided medical treatment at the scene before transporting the victim to a Houston-area hospital for further care.
Investigators said interviews with the victim and witnesses revealed that the suspected shooter had fled the residence on foot before deputies arrived. The suspect was later identified as Christopher Meier, 38.
Deputies, assisted by the Austin County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team, quickly established a perimeter and began searching the surrounding area. A short time later, Meier was located near the 900 block of Tegeler Road and taken into custody.
The Austin County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division and a forensic investigator responded to process the scene and collect evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
Meier was booked into the Austin County Jail on charges of Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Possession of a Controlled Substance.
Under Texas law, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon is generally classified as a second-degree felony and carries a possible punishment of two to 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Felon in Possession of a Firearm is typically a third-degree felony punishable by two to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Penalties for Possession of a Controlled Substance vary depending on the type and amount of the substance involved.
The investigation remains ongoing.
As with all criminal cases, the charges are accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
