Oklahoma cowboy killed in drive-by Midland shootout

MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) – Family members have now identified a man who was tragically killed following a drive-by shooting on Mother’s Day in Midland.

The Midland County Sheriff’s Office was called to the 10000 block of South FM 1788 between 9 and 11 a.m. on the morning of May 12th. At the scene, investigators found 26-year-old Austin Winn dead from a gunshot wound.

Austin family members continue to search for answers.

Witnesses at the scene say Winn was found in a vehicle near a pre-1788 truck stop. Last week, officials said in a statement: “A crime is suspected and this case is being treated as a homicide.”

“An employee at the store heard gunshots and called the police,” said Austin’s sister, Ashlyn Winn Jones.

Family members say it was a drive-by shooting and they are searching for the person or people responsible.

“My brother had gotten off at 1788 on I-20 and had just sent my mom a text saying, ‘Happy Mother’s Day,’ he would be home, you know, at 9:37 a.m. he texted her These news . He had been on the phone with his girlfriend, you know, talking to her, telling her the same thing and saying that he would, you know, see her that night. “The sheriff showed up at my parents’ house between 10:30 and 11 a.m. and told them that, um, you know, my brother was found dead in front of the truck,” Jones said.

They said Austin was from Tecumseh, Oklahoma, and was transporting horses across West Texas with his train at the time of his death.

“He was in Presidio and always comes home, and this is an area (Midland) where he stops on the way home to get gas. He runs this route one to three times a week, the same route,” Jones said.

This was nothing unusual for Austin, his family said.

“It’s three generations that haul horses and cattle. Our grandfather for 40 years, my dad still hauls horses and then my brother started hauling horses and cattle. Since my husband works in the oil field, our family is in Midland/Odessa all the time and it was nothing new for him to be there,” Jones said.

Relatives said in a statement: “Our family is raising money for a reward. I have no information about the amount at this time, but there will be one. “Please help us get justice.”

In lieu of flowers in Austin’s memory, the family has asked that contributions be made to the reward fund established at First National Bank, 130 e. Macarthur St., Shawnee, OK 74804 on behalf of Austin Winn.