A 62-year-old civil engineer from Austin, Texas, was killed in what authorities have characterized as an apparently random stabbing at a Round Rock park on Labor Day. The incident led to the arrest of a 26-year-old man, who now faces a first-degree murder charge.
Williamson County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report of an injured person at a park located in the 2400 block of Chandler Creek Boulevard on September 7. Upon arrival, emergency medical personnel pronounced the victim, Andrew James Wimsatt, dead at the scene. Wimsatt, a distinguished civil engineer, held bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees from the University of Texas at Austin. He worked as a research engineer at the Texas A&M Transportation Institute, following a tenure with the Texas Department of Transportation.
Investigators quickly turned to surveillance footage from the Chandler Creek Homeowners Association, which became a pivotal piece of evidence in reconstructing the events of that morning. According to an arrest affidavit, Wimsatt was seated on a park bench at approximately 10:55 a.m. Several minutes later, a man later identified by authorities as Benedict Chinedu Ogbodiegwu Jr., 26, allegedly approached Wimsatt from behind. The affidavit details that the attacker grabbed Wimsatt and proceeded to stab him repeatedly. Wimsatt reportedly attempted to defend himself but was unable to escape the assault. After Wimsatt fell to the ground, the attack allegedly continued before the suspect fled the scene, moving toward the park’s pool area and then in the direction of North A.W. Grimes Boulevard.
A witness discovered Wimsatt near the bench around 11:15 a.m. and promptly called 911. The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office stated that preliminary evidence indicated no prior relationship between Wimsatt and the suspect. Authorities have characterized the killing as an apparently random act, and as of the arrest affidavit, investigators had not identified a motive.
Detectives meticulously reviewed surveillance footage from various locations across Round Rock to identify and track the suspect. Video recordings from nearby homes and businesses allegedly captured a man matching the attacker’s description traveling toward the park before the incident and returning after the attack. The same individual was later reportedly seen on video at a McDonald’s on East Palm Valley Boulevard, wearing different clothing. He subsequently left the location as a passenger in a red SUV. The vehicle was registered to an address approximately one mile from the park, a detail that significantly aided investigators in narrowing their search.
Detectives eventually located Ogbodiegwu at a residence on Matagorda Drive. The affidavit states that Ogbodiegwu acknowledged that a still image from surveillance footage showed him, but he denied visiting the park that morning. He also reportedly mentioned having a twin brother but was unable to provide investigators with the brother’s name.
Authorities subsequently executed a search warrant at the property. Investigators reported recovering a white trash bag from an outdoor garbage can. Inside the bag were items of clothing matching those seen in the park surveillance footage, along with a 5.5-inch, wooden-handled knife. The sweatpants found in the bag allegedly contained red stains, and investigators stated that the knife blade tested presumptive positive for blood.
Ogbodiegwu was arrested late Monday and formally charged with first-degree murder. His bond has been set at $1 million. The investigation into Wimsatt’s death remains ongoing, with authorities continuing to examine the collected evidence. The allegations against Ogbodiegwu have not yet been proven in court, and the legal process will determine his responsibility for the killing. The incident has drawn considerable attention, not only due to the violent circumstances but also because of the apparent lack of connection between the two men, leaving the question of motive unanswered.
