Zachary Bower, 22, of Bandera, Texas, was shot in the head and killed on January 31, 2021, on Houston Street just outside the Bandera city limits. The shooting followed a confrontation after Bower arrived at a scene where his girlfriend’s ex-boyfriend, Austin Small, was present. Reports state a physical altercation occurred, Bower fell to the ground face down, and Small shot him in the back of the head.

In the early hours of February 1, 2021, Kerrville law enforcement arrested 25-year-old Austin Small; he was turned over to the Texas Rangers and the Bandera County Sheriff’s Office and charged with murder, two counts of deadly conduct, and child endangerment. Small was released on a $125,000 bond while awaiting trial. Later proceedings resulted in a guilty verdict and a 45-year prison sentence with parole possible after 30 years; an appeal challenging the absence of jury instructions on lesser included offenses was denied.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation on Houston Street or has information about the moments leading up to the shooting, please come forward.