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Police identify suspect in NE Austin fatal shooting from September

Police said the suspect was already in Bastrop County Jail since he was arrested and charged for a separate murder.

AUSTIN — The Austin Police Department has identified the suspect who allegedly fatally shot a 26-year-old man in northeast Austin back in September.

APD said Isaac Jerome Thomas, 23, has been charged for the murder of Joshua Hardesty. Police said Thomas was already in Bastrop County Jail since he was arrested on Nov. 6 for murdering Tony Lamar Huggins.

Detectives learned about Thomas' involvement in Hardesty's murder after speaking with witnesses from Huggins' murder, according to police. Police believe the two murder victims did not kow each other, but said both murders were over the sale of marijuana.

According to Austin-Travis County EMS, officials responded to the 1500 block of East Parmer Lane for reports of a deceased man with a gunshot wound at around 3 p.m. on Sept. 11. Callers described seeing a man lying in the parking lot there.

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Hardesty, was pronounced dead shortly after.

KVUE spoke with Clifford Hardesty, Joshua's father, who said Joshua was the father of a 10-year-old boy.

Clifford Hardesty said his son was shot multiple times in the parking lot. Both he and police said Joshua Hardesty's dog, Zero, stayed by his side until animal protection arrived.

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"He was just a very giving, giving person," said Clifford Hardesty. "He loved his dog. And that was one of the most amazing things is even with all this gunfire going on, the dog never left his side."

Police added that the victim received an "extensive amount of trauma" to the center of his body.

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Austin Animal Services on Wednesday say the dog was taken to Austin Animal Center, which is a common practice when officials are dealing with the deaths of pet owners. A spokesman said the dog appeared to be well behaved and was in good health.

Clifford Hardesty said they will give Zero to Joshua's 10-year-old son.

Thomas' bond has been set at $333,000.

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