AUSTIN, Texas — A Travis County family is speaking out after they said their father was senselessly shot and killed in front of them.
They said a new neighbor assumed their father was “a bad person” who didn’t belong in the neighborhood and made the mistake before asking questions.
The Travis County Sheriff’s Office said the shooting happened on Chamberlain Court on Friday night. It’s the same street the Hill siblings have lived their entire lives.
“We did everything quickly,” said 18-year-old Oasis Hill.
Oasis said his dad, 53-year-old Ruel Hill, was dropping him and his brother off at home after sports. They parked a couple of houses down, and as they were getting out of the car to say goodnight, shots fired.
“This neighbor, just literally no warning, just started shooting – shot three times,” said Oasis Hill.
One bullet pierced through the hair of his 14-year-old brother, Uriel.
“These are pretty much how close it was to hitting my brother,” said Oasis Hill.
Another hit their father, who Travis County Sheriff’s Office said died at the hospital.
Their neighbor, 23-year-old Eusebio Noa Olvera, is charged with his murder.
“The person that shot him came over and ran over to help us and was saying sorry. And I told him, ‘I forgive you, but you got to go away,'” explained Oasis Hill.
The family said it all seemed senseless. The neighbors had just moved in and there were no issues between them. They said the neighbor claimed he thought it was “a bad person” sitting in the car.
“I don’t know how anybody could just go out and, you know, shoot a gun like that,” said Ruel’s 16-year-old daughter, Ethline Hill. “A gun is a weapon and it can take people’s lives, and if this doesn’t say to just be more careful.”
The siblings said their father always told them if he was ever gone, don’t be sad and celebrate his life.
“The best father I could ask for,” said Oasis Hill. “He spoke life into us and he raised us to be three great kids. He always taught us to stick together.”
Ethline Hill said their father had a way with words.
“He loved knowledge and music and poetry and art, and I think we get a lot of our qualities and hobbies from him,” said Ethline Hill. “He would always make people laugh and he just loved to joke around.”
Ruel Hill also leaves behind a fourth child, 20-year-old Adia Hill.
TCSO said the investigation is ongoing.
The family has a GoFundMe to help cover immediate needs and funeral costs and assist the family as they navigate the aftermath of the tragedy.