Austin police upgrade charges to first-degree murder after southeast Austin shooting victim dies in hospital

Case timeline and charges

A 39-year-old man has been arrested on a first-degree murder charge following the shooting death of his girlfriend in southeast Austin, after investigators said the woman later died from her injuries.

Austin police stated officers were called at about 12:30 a.m. Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, to a report of a shooting at a residence in the 5900 block of Wagon Bend. The caller reported a woman had been shot inside the home and was bleeding from the head, and said the suspected shooter was still nearby.

Police said officers found an adult woman in the kitchen with an apparent gunshot wound. She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and later identified as Denise Tijerina, born Aug. 17, 1980.

Police said the suspect, identified as Samuel Boardman, 39, was located and detained after he walked away from the residence. Investigators said Boardman declined to provide a statement.

From aggravated assault to murder warrant

Detectives initially arrested Boardman and booked him on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge tied to the Jan. 26 shooting. Police said he was released from jail on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, on a $5,000 bond related to that case.

Police reported that on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, Tijerina died from her injuries and was pronounced deceased. Investigators then obtained a first-degree murder warrant and re-arrested Boardman on Jan. 28 in connection with her death.

• Incident reported: 12:30 a.m., Jan. 26, 2026
• Location: 5900 block of Wagon Bend, southeast Austin
• Victim: Denise Tijerina (1980–2026)
• Suspect: Samuel Boardman, 39
• Initial charge: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
• Charge after victim’s death: first-degree murder (warrant issued; suspect re-arrested Jan. 28)

What investigators say happened

Police said preliminary findings indicate Boardman was inside the residence with Tijerina when she was shot, and that he fled on foot after the shooting.

Austin police said this case is being investigated as the city’s sixth homicide of 2026.

Ongoing investigation

The investigation remains active. Police have asked anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Austin Police Department tip line at 512-974-TIPS or submit an anonymous tip through Capital Area Crime Stoppers by calling 512-472-8477.

As with all criminal cases, the charge is an accusation and Boardman is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.