Suspect who says he killed man at homeless camp in Abilene out of self defense indicted

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

Jaylen Shafer was indicted on one count of Murder by a Taylor County Grand Jury Thursday in connection to the death of David Anthony Vasquez, who was shot and killed in October 2024.

Court documents state Shafer claims he shot Vasquez in a culvert area overnight outside a convenience store on the 4800 block of S 14th Street 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.