A violent shooting spree swept across Austin over the weekend, leaving four people wounded in at least a dozen separate incidents before police detained three suspects Sunday, including two teenage boys, authorities said.
Background
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the wave of violence began at approximately 3:45 p.m. Saturday when officers received reports of a stolen vehicle from an apartment complex and a firearm taken from a store. At that point, investigators did not realize the incidents were connected, according to Davis.
Within hours, approximately 20 additional service calls related to the suspects followed, predominantly in South and East Austin. The shooting incidents paused Saturday night before resuming Sunday morning at 8:47 a.m., when a man walking his dog was struck in his back by gunfire, Davis said.
Mayor Kirk Watson told reporters that among the targets were two fire stations, including one instance where a firetruck was hit with gunfire while fire personnel stood behind it. The suspects also fired at apartment buildings, prompting officers to conduct door-to-door searches to ensure residents' safety.
"We had two individuals that were going and robbing cars, and then started firing shots at people," Davis said Sunday evening. "We had one pole cam that was up that actually captured one of the shootings in front of a store where two people were shot."
Davis described the moment: "A woman sitting there, standing there, talking to someone, and they drive by, and they shoot out their window, striking her."
The Investigation
Police identified multiple suspect vehicles involved in the shootings, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver four-door Mazda and a white Kia Optima. Davis said at least four vehicles were stolen during the rampage.
In their search for suspects, officials with the Manor Police Department and Travis County Sheriff's Office made a traffic stop on a white Kia based on information provided by Austin police. Three suspects exited the vehicle and fled before officers apprehended two of them, authorities said.
The chief said investigators have determined that the 17-year-old has a warrant for theft of a gun from the same store where the 15-year-old allegedly stole a firearm on Saturday. Police have not yet identified when the third suspect became involved in the incidents.
Davis said investigators do not know what motivated the shootings, noting they appear to have been random.
"I don't know what motive would drive anybody to drive around senselessly in this city, in multiple parts of this city, shooting," Watson said.
Key Takeaways
- At least 12 shootings occurred across Austin beginning Saturday afternoon, wounding four people, one seriously
- Two suspects in custody are boys ages 15 and 17; a third suspect has been detained by Manor police
- The rampage began with vehicle and firearm thefts before escalating into random gunfire at multiple locations including fire stations
- Police identified at least four stolen vehicles connected to the incidents, including Hyundai and Kia models
- A shelter-in-place order was issued Sunday during the manhunt but lifted after arrests
What's Next
The investigation remains active and ongoing. Austin police have not announced formal charges related to the shootings as of Sunday evening. The third suspect's involvement in the incidents continues to be examined by investigators. Authorities have not disclosed when formal charging decisions are expected.