Convicted murderer gets 45 years

Authorities say Austin Small, 26, of Bandera was sentenced to 45 years last week for the murder of 22-year-old Zachary Bower.

Bandera County Chief Deputy Matt King said Small was arrested at court and booked in the Bandera County Jail.

“He will be rated based on security and will be transferred to a prison after that,” said King, adding murderers are usually transferred to a high-security prison.

In February 2021, Small shot Bower during a child exchange on Houston street.

According to authorities,Small was returning his four-year-old daughter to her mother. Small went to his vehicle, retrieved a gun and shot Bower following a physical encounter; he then fled the scene.

At the time of that incident, King said neither the mother or daughter were harmed, but they were witnesses. Bower was airlifted to San Antonio and died in the hospital.

Small was arrested in Kerrville and housed in the Bandera County Jail. He would post bond following that arrest and again following his indictment.