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Suspect identified in NW Austin trail assault


Lane Eliot{ }Lowke is charged with a second degree felony aggravated assault. (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department)
Lane Eliot Lowke is charged with a second degree felony aggravated assault. (Photo courtesy: Austin Police Department)
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Police on Monday identified the suspect in a stabbing in a greenbelt area near Spicewood Springs Road.

The assault happened on October 7th and caused a lock down of nearby Canyon Vista Middle School.

The suspect, according to court documents, is 28-year-old Lane Eliot Lowke. Police say a woman in her 30s agreed to meet with Lowke in the green belt area in Northwest Austin for "consensual sex" after they discussed it over the app 'MeetMe.' He identified himself as Lucas to the victim and agreed to pay her $2,000 on Venmo.

While engaging in "consensual sex," police say Lowke assaulted the victim using a knife. Her injuries consisted of a "large laceration caused by an edged weapon across the front part of her neck as well as to her chin." She also sustained several other scratches and bruises on her body.

After the incident, the victim received a friend request from a 'Lucas Matherson' on Venmo. Police say they ordered a subpoena for all Venmo and Paypal accounts related to Lucas Matherson. They used this to track a phone number owned by Lowke. Police also identified the suspect's Snapchat account as 'El Loki.'

Using APD's composite sketch of the suspect from October 12, they were able to compare it to social media Facebook posts from a Facebook page. Lowke was then identified by the victim in a lineup of driver license photos.

Lowke is charged with a second degree felony aggravated assault.

On Monday, Parents picking up their kids from Canyon Vista Middle School said they feel relieved by the news.

"Just the fact that, somebody who was victimized really within steps of the school is scary," said mother Sheryl Boyd. "It absolutely has been talk among parents to get your kids earlier, and to see what's going on. What is the school doing, what is Round Rock ISD doing? And, there's just been a hyper-awareness that parents are talking more."

Boyd said she is grateful her community feels a little safer.

"I think there was definitely some relief and the fact that he was a local in the area was a little concerning too," she said.

Since the incident, Austin police said they have increased patrols near the school and close to the trail.

"It's definitely a lot more diligence among parents to pay attention," said Boyd.


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