1 arrested in connection with deadly shooting outside Austin sports bar

Editor's Note: The Austin Police Department corrected the location of the shooting. This story has been updated.

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin police arrested a man in connection with a homicide near a north Austin sports bar where one person died Friday.

Clayton Taitague, 20, was arrested and will be charged with first-degree murder when he is discharged from the hospital, police said Monday.

Police identified Tyler Cochran, 30, as the victim. He died at the scene.

The shooting happened early Friday morning outside of Michelobos Sports Bar on East Braker Lane. The Austin Police Department said officers responded to the bar at 1:43 a.m. after a 911 caller said two men were critically shot.

Police found the victim and the suspect with gunshot wounds. A police investigation found that Cochran and Taitague were in a verbal-turned-physical disturbance. Taitague got a gun and shot Cochran, then a security employee shot Taitague. Police said the security officer is covered by self-defense law.

Police said Taitague is in critical but stable condition as of Monday.

The Austin Police Department is investigating the shooting as Austin's 56th homicide of 2024.

Increased calls, strained resources

APD Chief Lisa Davis said the parking lot where the shooting happened is a "hot spot" for crime with an increasing number--and intensity--of calls for service.

APD responded to this location for 34 calls in 2023. So far, officers have responded to 61 calls for service this year. Calls have included aggravated robberies, assault robberies, nuisance criminal behavior and celebratory gunfire.

"Both the frequency and intensity of these calls have increased," Chief Davis said. "This is most likely the direct result of several nightclubs in this area--sports bars and after-hour establishments."

In turn, APD is looking into what is drawing crime to the center and how to reduce the strain the area is having on citywide resources. Police also want to understand why people feel comfortable committing a crime in this area.

Efforts to address the increased crime began in April after police noticed the parking lot was overusing APD resources and impacting APD's ability to answer other calls, said Commander Lee Davis, who oversees the north Austin command. He said this area is known as a "corrupt zone," or an attractive area for people to commit crimes.

These efforts include holding meetings with the property owner and getting their commitment to change and work with police to create a safe environment.

APD is also looking at crime through environmental design, Commander Davis said. This means looking at changing lighting, parking and operating hours to reduce crime.

Police also plan to look at the liquor licenses and code enforcement in this area, Davis said.

Commander Davis said the next steps include holding community meetings to listen to stakeholder groups.