Documents: Suspect says he killed man at homeless camp in Abilene out of self defense

ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) – A suspect accused of shooting and killing a man at a homeless encampment in Abilene says he was acting in self-defense.

Court documents state Jaylen Shafer claims he shot David Anthony Vasquez in a culvert area outside a convenience store on the 4800 block of S 14th Street the early morning hours of October 28 because Vasquez was behaving aggressively.

The documents reveal Shafer says Vasquez had come to a homeless encampment in that area looking for drugs then allegedly began talking about being a gang member and telling Shafer that he had a knife and that he was going to kill him and break his knees.

Shafer says he pulled out one gun and fired twice when Vasquez came at him in a threatening manner, according to the documents, which state Shafer also reported he shot with a second gun because Vasquez was still being aggressive.

The first gun was recovered behind the gas station where Shafer was arrested, and the second gun was recovered from a friend’s house, and the documents state this friend told police that Shafer says he shot a man because the man wanted his campsite and was being aggressive and would not back up.

Shafer remains held in the Taylor County Jail on a $250,000 bond.