Michael McCloskey, the victim in a fatal shooting at a Halloween party over the weekend, has been described as a hero after police said he tackled the shooter dressed as "Santa Claus" to prevent him from shooting at others, an affidavit obtained by KVUE reveals.
Randall Gaston Jones is accused of opening fire at a Halloween party in the 5500 block of Avenue F just after 6:30 a.m. in North Austin Sunday, causing the death of a man. He has been charged with murder and two accounts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to Austin police.
Jones, 32, was a roommate at the home where the shooting happened. Jones later told police that he "just wanted to go to sleep," and he "didn't want this to happen." Police said in the affidavit that McCloskey -- who did not live at the residence -- and another party-goer were encouraging Jones to retire to his bed due to his inebriated state. He later reappeared from his room, and police said that's when the shooting began.
Witnesses told police that Jones fired a gunshot into the flooring which resulted in several party-goers being struck by metal shrapnel. He then allegedly shot his roommate in the torso and another victim in the ankle.
After the shooting, police said Jones went to a neighbor's home and told the resident "an altercation occurred" and that he would surrender to the authorities, his neighbor told police. Jones placed his black semi-automatic handgun on the welcome mat and went into police custody without incident.
When the Austin Police Department arrived, they found four people injured. One of the victims -- identified as McCloskey -- died from his wounds after being taken to Dell Seton Medical Center. A witness described him as "a hero" as he tackled Jones to prevent him from shooting at others, police said.
Randall Gaston Jones is currently in the Travis County Jail. His bond is set at $700,000.