In a shocking and tragic series of events, a former U.S. Army infantry officer has been arrested in Texas after a violent shooting spree that left six people dead and three others injured, including two police officers. The suspect, identified as 34-year-old Shane James, is now in custody and charged with multiple counts of capital murder, according to jail records.

The shooting spree began on Tuesday morning in Austin, Texas, when an Austin Independent School district police officer was shot and injured in the 7200 block of Bachman Drive. The violence escalated over the course of the day, with multiple 911 calls reporting additional victims. One call came in about a double homicide at 7300 Shady Wood Drive, where a male and female victim were found dead. Another shooting occurred in the late afternoon, where a male cyclist was shot but suffered non-life-threatening injuries.

The situation took a turn for the worse when an Austin police officer responded to a burglary in progress in the 5300 block of Austral Loop. The suspect, later identified as James, opened fire on the officer, striking them multiple times. Fortunately, the wounded officer was able to return fire and seek cover. They were transported to a hospital and are currently in stable condition, according to interim Austin Police Chief Robin Henderson.

Following the shootout, James managed to escape the scene in a vehicle. However, after a pursuit involving several other officers, he crashed the vehicle and was subsequently taken into custody. It was during the search of a reported burglary at the residence in Austral Loop that two more victims were discovered dead.

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive for the killings. However, they have indicated that James may have connections to a home in Bexar County, prompting authorities there to be alerted. Bexar County Sheriff Javier Salazar confirmed that two middle-aged victims were found dead in that home, indicating a possible double homicide.

Further details have emerged about James' background. He served as a U.S. Army infantry officer from February 2013 to August 2015, with no deployments during his service. He left the military with the rank of 1st Lt. According to the Office of the Chief of Public Affairs for the Army's Pentagon office, James separated from the military on August 17, 2015.

The Austin Police Department held a press conference on Wednesday morning to address the situation. Interim Chief Henderson announced that the suspect was in custody and assured the Austin community that they were no longer at risk from him. She emphasized that the investigation was still in its early stages and that the information provided was preliminary.

The Bexar County Sheriff's Office is also involved in the investigation, as the suspect is linked to the double homicide near San Antonio. Sheriff Salazar confirmed that the suspect was being investigated in connection with the deaths of two individuals, both aged 50, who were found dead inside a home.

As the investigation continues, authorities are working to piece together the events and determine the motives behind this tragic shooting spree. The communities of Austin and Bexar County are left grieving the loss of innocent lives while seeking answers in the face of such senseless violence.