Andrew Wimsatt, aged 62, was murdered in Austin, Texas, last Monday:

Wimsatt was sitting on a park bench at 10:55 a.m. Monday in the 2400 block of Chandler Creek Road when [Benedict Ogbodiegwu, 26] began attacking him with a knife about three minutes later, the document said.

Ogbodiegwu wrapped his left arm around Wimsatt, the affidavit said. It said Wimsatt tried to push him off but failed. Ogbodiegwu stabbed Wimsatt several times before Wimsatt fell to the ground, where Ogbodiegwu continued to stab him, according to the affidavit.

According to the document, Ogbodiegwu then put his knee on the victim’s chest and started sawing the knife across Wimsatt’s neck before running away toward the park’s pool area.

Winsatt never had a chance. By all accounts – and there are many, because Winsatt was known by many people online – the victim was “a gentle and generous soul.” For example, from David Burge (“Iowahawk”):

Andrew was a well respected civil engineer who worked in highway design and transportation research, a bit of a gentle avuncular Southern gentleman who was at the same time an afficionado of punk rock, pop surrealism art, and Midcentury Modern. He lived in Cambridge Towers, a 1965 landmark MCM condominium building near the Texas Capitol in Austin.

He was also a supporter of libertarian causes, particularly free speech on campus, and was a superfriend of @wethefifth and
@TheFIREorg. Supernice as they come, never an angry word about anyone, which makes this all the more incomprehensible.

Last time I saw Andrew was when my son played a show at the 29th Street Ballroom in Austin a few months ago. I didn’t even know he was aware of the kid, but apparently had previously ordered a few signed copies of his debut vinyl LP and was there to see him play live.

Hawkspawn, Mrs B, and I had a nice chat with him after the show. I called Hawkspawn to let him know and he, like me, was a bit shook by the news.

RIP and Godspeed, Busty.

What an outrageous and horrible and utterly cowardly deed. And yet of a type with which we’ve because all too familiar. RIP.

The suspect has a history of arrest for theft; see this. I’m sure the authorities know a great deal more about him, but so far no information has been released.