A 17-year-old boy is in jail in Austin. He is charged with murder.

Austin police say he shot a 29-year-old man inside an East Austin apartment. Then, police say, he left in the dead man's vehicle.

Austin police named the teen as Jorge Garza. The man who died was Jacob Villanueva.

The shooting took place early on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Police got the call at about 3:01 a.m. The apartment is in the 1000 block of Springdale Road in East Austin.

Police were first called about a disturbance. The caller also said they heard gunshots.

Officers found Villanueva on the stairs inside the apartment. He had gunshot wounds, police said. He died there at 3:13 a.m.

Police released more details on Friday. Here is what they say took place.

A woman lives in the apartment. Garza was her boyfriend. Police say the two of them got into a fight.

The woman then called Villanueva. He was her ex-boyfriend. He came over to the apartment.

Police say Villanueva asked Garza to leave. That is when, police say, Garza shot him.

Police say Garza then left in Villanueva's vehicle.

Police have not named the woman.

At first, police did not say much. An Austin police spokesman, Officer Aaron Townsend, spoke at the scene that morning.

He said the shooter knew the man who died. He said the shooter left before officers got there. He said other people at the scene could tell police who he was.

"They're acquaintances," Townsend said. "What exactly that relationship is, is yet to be determined."

He also said detectives did not think the public was in danger.

For two days, police looked for Garza.

On Friday, Sept. 25, a team of officers caught up with Garza. The group is called the Lone Star Fugitive Task Force. Its job is to track down people who are wanted.

Officers booked Garza into the Travis County Jail. He faces two charges. One is murder. The other is unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. That means using someone's car or truck without their OK.

Police did not say if a bond has been set.

Why is a 17-year-old in the adult jail? It comes down to Texas law.

In Texas, the juvenile system is for kids ages 10 to 16. Once you turn 17, the state treats you as an adult if you are accused of a crime. That means adult court and adult charges.

Some lawmakers have tried to raise that age to 18. So far, the law has not changed. The same rule applies to teens here in the Valley.

In Texas, murder is a first-degree felony. That can mean 5 to 99 years or life in prison.

Villanueva's death is Austin's 42nd homicide of 2026, police said.

Police and the sheriff's office worked two other deadly shootings in the Austin area that same day.

Police want to hear from anyone who knows more. Call Austin police at 512-974-TIPS. You can also leave a tip and keep your name secret. Call Capital Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477, or go to austincrimestoppers.org.

Garza has only been charged. He has not been found guilty of any crime.

Everyone is presumed innocent until proved otherwise.