The Cedar Creek community is mourning the death of Manuel Salgado Vasquez, 22, who died Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after suffering a gunshot wound during a shooting at Fisherman’s Park in Bastrop, Texas.
According to a joint release from the Bastrop Police Department and Austin Police Department, Salgado met his former girlfriend, 20-year-old Mariana Montoya Palacios, at Fisherman’s Park on Sunday, September 13. Police said the two had previously been romantically involved.
Key Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Manuel Salgado Vasquez |
| Age | 22 |
| Residence | Cedar Creek, Texas |
| Date of Bastrop Shooting | September 13, 2026 |
| Location | Fisherman’s Park, Bastrop |
| Other Victim | Mariana Montoya Palacios, 20 |
| Reported Circumstances | Police say Salgado shot Palacios before shooting himself |
| Hospitalization | Salgado was transported to a local hospital |
| Date of Death | September 15, 2026 |
| Time of Death | Approximately 2:58 p.m. |
| Investigation | Austin and Bastrop police investigations |
Police said Salgado shot Palacios at close range, fatally injuring her, before shooting himself. Bastrop officers arrived and found Salgado suffering from a gunshot wound. He was taken to a hospital for treatment, while Palacios was pronounced dead at the scene. Salgado died from his injuries two days later at approximately 2:58 p.m. on September 15.
The investigation later expanded after Austin police discovered another death involving 27-year-old Desiree Gauna. Officers conducting a welfare check at a residence on West William Cannon Drive in Austin on September 15 found Gauna deceased with injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. Investigators determined that Gauna had been living with Salgado and that he had been romantically involved with both women.
Based on the preliminary investigation, Austin police believe Salgado was responsible for Gauna’s death. The Austin investigation remains open as detectives continue working to establish the circumstances surrounding her death.
Salgado’s death therefore forms part of a broader investigation involving connected incidents in Bastrop and Austin. Authorities have not indicated that the public remains under threat from Salgado, who is deceased.
Funeral and memorial arrangements for Manuel Salgado Vasquez were not available in the official police information reviewed.