Austin Police Capture Two Suspects Involved in Random Shootings
Authorities have lifted the shelter-in-place order in south Austin, Texas, after capturing two suspects believed to be involved in random shootings that occurred from late Saturday into Sunday.
Police Announcement
Austin police stated, “The shelter in place for the south Austin area has been lifted, and two suspects are in custody.” However, one suspect remains at large in the Manor area. More updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Details on the Shootings
During a press briefing, Mayor Kirk Watson confirmed that multiple shootings were reported throughout the area, including incidents at two fire stations. Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis described the acts as “random” and mentioned that a motive has yet to be determined.
Austin PD held a final update at around 7 p.m. local time. Mayor Watson thanked all entities involved in the investigation, and Chief Davis reported the apprehension of both suspects. It was revealed that one suspect had a warrant for stealing a gun from the same store where his partner had stolen another weapon. A stolen vehicle was reported before the gun theft. The department received 20 service calls related to the suspects who targeted apartment buildings and fire stations, and damaged a fire truck. They stole four vehicles during their crime spree.
Both Watson and Davis expressed gratitude to the public for adhering to alert notices and requested any further information the public could provide about Sunday’s events.
Search for the Third Suspect
Though the identities of the suspects are undisclosed, police continue to search for a third suspect. Initial descriptions identified two Hispanic males in their late teens—one with medium wavy hair and the other with longer hair. It’s unclear which suspects have been apprehended.
Authorities also released details of three vehicles potentially linked to the shootings: a black Honda Accord, a gold Honda, and a white Nissan Altima. Mayor Watson noted that the suspects seemed to switch vehicles as events unfolded.
Information on Victims
Four individuals were shot, with one sustaining life-threatening injuries. The other three suffered non-life-threatening wounds. No further details about the victims have been released, and it remains uncertain if any victims were fire station personnel.
Affected Areas
The original shelter-in-place order encompassed a significant part of south Austin, stretching from Skyline Park to Dick Nicholas District Park. While the order has been lifted, vigilance is advised for Manor area residents as the search for the remaining suspect continues.
Advice for Residents
Chief Davis urged residents to call 911 immediately if they notice anything suspicious and advised against approaching any of the suspected vehicles. Residents should secure personal vehicles by avoiding leaving keys or key fobs inside, as several vehicles were stolen during the rampage.
The inquiry remains active, with further updates anticipated.