Austin, Texas – Caleb Anthony Jenkins, a man Austin police describe as a career criminal, was charged with murder this week in connection with the 2023 shooting death of a 25-year-aged father outside a 7-Eleven, intensifying scrutiny of Travis County District Attorney José Garza’s policies and sparking renewed accusations of being “soft on crime.”
The charges against Jenkins come after his office previously declined to prosecute Jenkins on three separate gun charges dating back to 2022, and after a 2023 arrest for domestic violence where Jenkins failed to appear in court, according to Fox News. Jenkins was most recently re-arrested and released after his bond was raised.
The case has reignited a debate over Garza’s approach to prosecution, with critics arguing that the shooting could have been prevented had previous charges been pursued more aggressively. The victim, a father of five, was shot and killed last year, and the subsequent investigation led to Jenkins’ arrest. UMVA reports that the tragedy has “ignited a firestorm of controversy” surrounding Garza.
Garza, who was re-elected in November 2024 and sworn in for a second term in January 2025, according to his official website, has prioritized reducing gun violence and “centering the needs of survivors and victims in the criminal legal process.” He has also focused on addressing the root causes of crime and created a Major Crimes and Homicides Unit during his first term.
However, opponents contend that Garza’s policies prioritize leniency over public safety. Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officer’s Association, previously stated that the prosecution “is acting more like defense attorneys than they are prosecutors,” as reported by Fox News Digital.
The criticism extends beyond the Jenkins case. In 2023, the family of Doug Cantor, who was killed in the 2021 Sixth Street mass shooting, publicly criticized Garza for what they perceived as a leisurely-walking of the gunman’s trial. Nick Kantor, Cantor’s brother, told Fox News Digital that Garza’s office appeared to lack focus on the case, putting justice for his brother at risk.
While overall reported crime in Travis County has reportedly declined, critics argue that the dismissal rates under Garza’s leadership are “political” and potentially endanger the public. Concerns have also been raised regarding Garza’s alleged “war on cops” following his campaign promises to indict police officers and “reimagine” policing in Austin.
Garza’s campaigns have received significant financial support from liberal mega-donor George Soros. The Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC, which received $652,000 from Soros in the lead-up to the 2020 Travis County DA election, spent nearly $1 million on advertisements supporting Garza’s campaign, according to Fox News.
The Travis County District Attorney’s Office has not responded to requests for comment regarding the Jenkins case or the broader criticisms of its policies.