Austin Club Shooting: Man Receives Deferred Adjudication Years After Deadly Incident

Years after a chaotic and deadly shooting rocked Austin's vibrant 6th Street entertainment district, a pivotal legal decision has been reached for one of the individuals involved. Endicott McCray Jr. has been granted deferred adjudication in connection with the horrific 2017 incident outside Club Rio, an outcome that could see his felony aggravated assault charge ultimately dismissed from his record.

The night of July 30, 2017, remains etched in the city's memory as a scene of terror and confusion.

Following an altercation, multiple gunshots rang out just after 2:00 AM, mere minutes after the bars had closed. The gunfire left one man, Douglas Mefford, dead and several others injured. The immediate aftermath saw a frantic scramble for safety and a massive law enforcement response, transforming the bustling nightlife hub into an active crime scene.

Authorities quickly launched an intensive investigation, eventually identifying Endicott McCray Jr.

as one of the individuals who fired a weapon during the melee. While he was not directly charged with Mefford's murder, McCray faced a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Evidence presented indicated that McCray fired a gun, striking another individual in the leg – an act that aligns with the aggravated assault charge, which carries a potential sentence of two to 20 years in prison.

The recent court ruling sees McCray receiving an eight-year term of deferred adjudication.

This legal mechanism means that if he successfully adheres to all the conditions set forth by the court during this probation period, his felony aggravated assault charge will not result in a conviction and can eventually be dismissed. Should he violate any of these terms, however, the deferred adjudication could be revoked, and he could be found guilty of the original charge, facing the full range of penalties.

The conditions of McCray’s deferred adjudication include serving 200 hours of community service and paying a $1,000 fine.

This resolution represents a complex facet of the justice system, offering a path for rehabilitation while acknowledging the severe nature of the original offense and its impact on the community.

The 2017 Club Rio shooting was a stark reminder of the challenges faced by urban entertainment districts and prompted widespread discussions about safety measures in downtown Austin.

The case itself was fraught with complexities, including the initial search for multiple persons of interest and the painstaking process of piecing together the events of that fateful night. While this deferred adjudication closes one chapter, the memories of that violent summer morning continue to resonate.