The Arrest of Bradley Stanford In The Shooting of Akira Ross

Publish date: 2024-05-06

In connection with the alleged shooting of 24-year-old Akira Ross, authorities have arrested Bradley Stanford, a 23-year-old individual. 

Upon the authorities’ arrival, they found Ross injured and lying in a pool of blood.

They also saw a black Nissan sedan close to her body.

Currently, Bradley Stanford is facing charges of first-degree murder concerning the brutal death of Akira. 

The victim’s family asserts that this was a hate crime, driven by her s*xual orientation as she identified as gay.

They alleged that Stanford yelled offensive homophobic slurs before shooting.

NEW: Bradley Stanford is accused of walking up to Akira Ross outside a Texas gas station, uttering an anti-gay slur, and shooting her 3 times. Akira died right in front of her girlfriend Tanya. More details in 🧵.

He's been arrested. But NOT for a hate crime.

Should he be? If… pic.twitter.com/stNoDQecQJ

— Jon Cooper (@joncoopertweets) June 13, 2023

Authorities are still looking into the circumstances that led to the violent encounter.

Cedar Park police stated that the victim and the suspect were unfamiliar with each other and had only communicated prior to the incident.

The investigation team posted an update on his arrest and charges on Facebook

The brutal shooting of Akira Ross

The Cedar Park Police Department received a report of a shooting on June 2, 2023, around 10 p.m. local time, in the 12000 block of Ranch Road 620 North in Cedar Park, Austin.

Emergency Medical Services from Williamson County arrived shortly after and declared the victim dead at 10:05 pm. 

Surveillance footage captured Stanford’s Chevy Malibu entering the gas station at 9:42 pm.

After around two minutes, Stanford was seen leaving the shop.

Experts discovered that when he returned to his car, he appeared to retrieve something from inside while concealing it in his belt.

Shortly after, the black automobile drove into the vicinity and parked close by.

Inside the car, Akira and her girlfriend were involved in an argument regarding a food order.

The third woman informed the police that Bradley Stanford had taken notice of the argument between Ross and her girlfriend. 

After a while, Ross exited her car while her girlfriend, Tanya, went into the store. Police stated that Stanford approached the 24-year-old woman, and they had a verbal exchange. 

Akira Ross was visibly agitated and stressed after the conversation with the suspect.

According to the third woman in the car, Stanford began searching for what appeared to be a gun. 

She then texted Ross’s girlfriend, stating, “Yo tell the cashier this man has a gun and is trying to harm KB (Ross).” 

Ross allegedly went inside to inform her girlfriend that Bradley Stanford was outside waving his gun. 

Tanya asked the cashier to call the police and went outside to record the altercation, not anticipating that he would open fire.

Bradley was arrested shortly after the incident.

According to an affidavit: “Stanford approached Ross and stood in front of her car. He pretended to walk back to his vehicle but instead walked to the rear of Ross’ vehicle. [The witness] heard Stanford shout… and fired three shots. He then ran towards his car and drove away.”

Law enforcement received an alert and subsequently apprehended Bradley Stanford at his apartment complex.

Authorities have set his bail at $1 million.

Meet racist Bradley Stanford who fled the scene and wasn't arrested until 48 hours later.
Bond set at $1M pic.twitter.com/Ksrt9lBQ28

— Barbara Waxer 🇺🇦 🏳️‍🌈 (@barbarawaxer) June 12, 2023

Ross’s father and girlfriend assert that Ross fell victim to targeting based on her s*xual orientation.

A hate crime occurred. She was unaware of him. As soon as she exited the vehicle, he began calling her homophobic epithets without cause. 

“It was a hate crime. She didn’t know him. She got out of the car, and he started hurling homophobic slurs at her for no reason. Losing a daughter feels like swallowing a razor blade,” expressed Anthony Hill, the victim’s father.

Tanya, Ross’ girlfriend, recalled the incident:

“I recorded everything I witnessed, and then I heard gunshots. We didn’t expect him to do what he did.”

The victim’s heartbroken family has started a GoFundMe effort to help them financially. 

The target is to raise $15,000, and more than 160 donors have given nearly $7,000 towards that goal. 

In light of this devastating loss of an LGBTQIA+ person, the fundraiser post emphasizes the value of allies and community support. 

Additionally, it highlights that Bradley Stanford attacked her solely because she identified as queer. 

Ross’s father mentioned that his daughter also served as a full-time caregiver for her grandmother and attended Manor High School and Bastrop High as a student.

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