AUSTIN -- A suspect in an Austin homicide investigation has been charged with murder after a Facebook post led to his whereabouts, where police said cocaine was found in his room.
The Austin Police Department reported that officers responded to reports of a gunshot on March 5 fired around 6:04 a.m. at the Reserve at Springdale apartment complex in northeast Austin. The caller stated they saw a newer model black four-door sedan with tinted windows driving away.
Once police arrived, they said they discovered victim Damarcio White unresponsive with a gunshot wound in the breezeway of Building 4. A Smith and Wesson semi-automatic 9mm handgun was found on the ground in close proximity to the male, according to court documents.
The victim was pronounced dead on scene.
The documents stated officials later learned though an informant that a credible threat of retaliation existed and had been communicated through Facebook by a user with the screen name of "Souf Side Bubba," who was later identified as 25-year-old Varnard Caldwell Jr. The informant stated Caldwell had posted within hours of the homicide, "I'll kill any [expletive] who think I had sum em to do with dat ... I was out there on dat block errynight with Damarcio..." Police said the post was signed with the hashtags "#WhateverIAintHidin" and "#LetMyLil[expletive]RestInPeace."
Police said a photo of Caldwell with a black Toyota Avalon was also discovered on the Facebook profile.
Officials said another informant reported that Caldwell and White had engaged in a physical fist fight in the alley behind the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless (ARCH) on March 3, which was captured on Snapchat. Police reviewed the video footage, which depicted a one-sided physical beatdown of Caldwell by White.
A third informant also stated that Caldwell was seen driving around the ARCH in a black Toyota Avalon four-door with tinted windows looking for White about an hour before he was discovered deceased. According to police, one of the informants also said Caldwell also brandished a firearm, remarking that he "had something" for White.
Court documents state that police later identified Caldwell's mother and found her address through utilities records. Upon entering her driveway, a black Toyota Avalon four-door with tinted windows was found backed up to the garage. Caldwell was seen sitting on the trunk of the vehicle speaking with someone on a cell phone, police said, and the key to the Avalon was found in his possession.
He was arrested for an outstanding warrant and transported to the APD Homicide Unit, police said. Documents state Caldwell unequivocally invoked his right to counsel when questioned about the death of White and was booked into the Travis County Jail for the outstanding warrant.
On March 5, police executed a search warrant of the suspect's mother's property. Documents state that Caldwell's mother said the Avalon belonged to her son, that he is unemployed and does not earn a legitimate income, and that Caldwell has a designated bedroom in her home that is not shared with others.
While executing the warrant, police said a box of 9mm ammunition was found on a shelf in his bedroom and a .38 caliber bullet was found inside of a shoebox. Police also reported the discovery of three clear baggies of white powdery substance inside a shoe, and three baggies containing rock-like substances inside a jacket. The substances were later confirmed to be cocaine with a total net weight of 113.05 grams.
Police said they also discovered $7,880 they believe was gained through the profit of trafficking illicit drugs.
On March 6, police said Caldwell placed a phone call to an acquaintance stating, "My momma's mad. She told me that they [detectives] found a whole bunch of work [cocaine] at the house," and, "They took all my money."
According to online records, Caldwell has been charged with murder, two counts of assault causing bodily injury and manufacturing/delivery of a controlled substance. His total bond is set at $350,000.
