Bystander shot, killed during drug dispute outside southeast Austin home, affidavit says

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Austin Police Department announced on Friday the arrest of 37-year-old Manuel Medina and 34-year-old Johnny Ybarra after a dispute about drugs led to the death of a bystander at a southeast Austin home in December 2024.

According to an affidavit obtained by KXAN, when Austin Police officers arrived at Thrasher Lane, they found 45-year-old Erik Tijerina unresponsive, lying in the front yard. He was then transported to Dell Seton Medical Center with injuries categorized as being “noncompatible with life”. He was pronounced dead two days later.

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Officers spoke to Medina and another witness, according to the affidavit. Medina told officers he had a confrontation with Ybarra, which led to Ybarra pulling out a gun while driving a vehicle and firing in the direction of Medina and other bystanders, including Tijerina, in the front yard.

Police say Medina returned fire, but they are unable to determine which shooter fired the bullet that hit Tijerina

KXAN has reached out to Medina’s attorney for a comment regarding his case and will update this story when or if a statement is received. Ybarra currently does not have an attorney listed.

A witness told APD that Ybarra went to meet with Medina to complete a drug transaction. While they were driving away, Ybarra noticed that Medina had given him counterfeit money, which sparked the argument, the affidavit says.

In March 2025, officers interviewed another witness who was at the scene of the incident. According to the affidavit, the witness said he and his girlfriend were in the car, and Tijerina was sitting on the curb when the shooting began.

Medina and Ybarra were booked into the Travis County jail and charged with murder. As of Friday, Medina is currently in jail with a $100,000 bond, according to online jail records. Ybarra’s bond is set at $125,000, records said.