Shooting spree suspect asks judge if he can represent himself

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Shane James, the suspect in a December 2023 shooting spree that spanned from Bexar County to Austin, killing six people and injuring three others, asked a judge Friday morning if he could represent himself in the case.

Following James' hearing earlier this year, his attorney Russ Hunt said James was receiving psychiatric treatment in jail.

Judge Clifford Brown told James he has a right to represent himself, but advised him not to.

Regarding the next steps, Brown recommended James receive a mental evaluation before moving forward to determine if he is mentally competent enough to represent himself. Judge Brown said if James did not do that voluntarily, Brown would issue a court-ordered evaluation.

James is set to return to court Oct. 10.

KXAN is speaking further with James' attorneys. Check back for updates.

James faces 4 capital murder charges

The string of shootings in this case occurred on Dec. 4 and 5 of 2023.

It began in Bexar County where the sheriff's office believes James killed his parents at their home. James allegedly then went to Austin, and police arrested him in connection with four murders. In a separate incident in southwest Austin later that night, APD said they found two “apparent victims of the suspect” identified as Katherine Short, 56, and Lauren Short, 30.

James also faces multiple counts of capital murder and aggravated assault of a public servant. He's accused of shooting and injuring a cyclist, an AISD police officer and an APD officer. They are all OK.