South Austin Woman Dies After Domestic Shooting, Boyfriend Re-Arrested

AUSTIN, Texas – A South Austin woman has died from her injuries following a shooting inside a residence earlier this week, leading to upgraded charges against the suspect.

According to Austin Police, officers were called to a home in the 5900 block of Wagon Bend around 12:30 a.m. on Monday, January 26, after a report that a woman had been shot in the head and was bleeding, with the suspect still in the area. When officers arrived, they found an adult female victim in the kitchen suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

The victim was identified as 45-year-old Denise Tijerina. She was transported to a local hospital in critical condition.

Officers located the suspect, 39-year-old Samuel Boardman, nearby after he had walked away from the residence. Boardman was detained at the scene but declined to provide a statement. Detectives with APD’s Aggravated Assault Unit and crime scene specialists responded and began investigating the incident.

Preliminary findings determined that Boardman was inside the residence with his girlfriend, Tijerina, when he shot her and then fled on foot. He was initially arrested and charged with Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

Boardman was released from jail on January 27 after posting a $5,000 bond related to the assault charge. The following day, on January 28, Tijerina succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced deceased.

After her death, investigators obtained a First Degree Murder warrant. Boardman was re-arrested on January 28 in connection with Tijerina’s death. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-TIPS. You may submit your tip anonymously through the Capital Area Crime Stoppers Program by visiting austincrimestoppers.org or calling 512-472-8477.  
 
This case is being investigated as Austin’s 6th homicide of 2026.