Trans Muslim Antifa militant named ‘person-of-interest’ in shooting death of Phoenix man

Sumayyah Dawud, a trans-identifying male born as Eric Austin, and previously known as Britney Erica Austin, has been identified as the alleged person of interest in the shooting death of Phoenix man, Paul Franco. Local media and police have referred to Austin as an unnamed "woman."

Franco was shot and killed in front of his apartment in Phoenix after getting into a fight with the group of pro-Palestine protesters who entered his gated apartment complex. His girlfriend, Stephanie Renteria, told local media he was shot dead while trying to protect her.

"I just remember a black shadow just walking up to Paul and then shooting him," Renteria said. Franco was shot multiple times. Rumsey Salman, a pro-Palestine protester at the brawl, was stabbed but it is not confirmed by whom.

Victim Paul Franco and his family

Phoenix Police executed a search warrant at Austin's home, who has not been charged in the homicide investigation. Austin claims self-defense and the investigation remains ongoing.

The family has requested the case be conducted by an outside agency, citing what they believe are conflict-of-interest issues.

Austin is involved in an alleged false arrest lawsuit against Phoenix Police stemming from an October 2020 Antifa riot for George Floyd. Franco's family told 12 News they believe Austin has not been charged because the department is afraid to take action given his pending lawsuit.

Eric Austin mugshot. Courtesy: Phoenix Police.

Eric Austin, aka Sumayyah Dawud, is a member of Antifa in Phoenix

Austin has an extensive history of far-left militancy and extremism. He has made several social media posts indicating he was anticipating the opportunity to shoot and kill at protests. Austin was also involved in a pro-Palestinian mob that harassed a Scottsdale restaurant in June for having Israeli products, video footage shows.

Austin was heavily involved in the violent 2020 BLM-Antifa riots and was among a group of 18 extremists who threw incendiary devices at police during an October 2020 direct action in downtown Phoenix. Austin was arrested during that riot while armed with a semi-automatic rifle and wearing a burka to conceal his face. Austin has been regularly observed wearing Islamic face coverings and robes at riots.

Austin later sued the Phoenix Police for removing his face covering during an arrest and is named as a plaintiff, along with 12 others, in a false arrest lawsuit against the department stemming from the mentioned riot.

Muslim civil rights groups who initially defended Austin's religious bias allegations later cut ties after they found out Austin was transgender. Austin was also kicked out of a local mosque for pretending to be a woman in the women's prayer section.

Austin has posted threatening messages on social media, encouraging comrades to arm themselves and "shoot back" when necessary, and has revealed that the federal government has at some point banned Austin from purchasing firearms.

"Carry a gun. And shoot back when necessary," Austin wrote on then-Twitter in May 2022.

In another 2022 post, he wrote: "I can't even go to a gun shop to buy a gun but I could get one today if I wanted to by making a simple phone call."

Austin locked down his X account after The Post Millennial broke the news about him being investigated in the homicide.

In another post, Austin wrote: "Gun control? If you're a marginalized person get a gun. Train how to use it. That's anti-fascist 'gun control.'"

Phoenix Police said in a statement that the department "is committed to conducting a thorough and impartial investigation into the events of July 4, which may include a review from an outside police agency. Once completed, the investigation will be turned over to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office for review and charging decisions."