Austin Police Arrest Two Juveniles in Connection with Shooting Spree
On Sunday, Austin police apprehended two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, following a series of shootings that left four individuals injured. The incidents, which spanned multiple locations, included assaults on two fire stations and led to a shelter-in-place order in South Austin.
According to Police Chief Lisa Davis, the investigation began after a shooting that commenced late Saturday and continued into the early hours of Sunday. “We have two suspects in custody,” Davis stated during a press conference.
The older suspect already had an outstanding warrant related to a gun theft from the same store where the younger teen allegedly stole a firearm.
Various sources indicate the suspects are accused of stealing multiple vehicles during the spree, and they fired shots at several locations, including apartment complexes, homes, pedestrians, and two fire stations, one of which was struck multiple times while first responders were present.
Out of the four victims, one suffered serious injuries but is reportedly in stable condition, while the others experienced non-life-threatening injuries.
During the height of the incident, law enforcement officials warned residents in a specific area to remain indoors as they searched for the suspects. Chief Davis mentioned, “Most of the mass shootings right now are in South Austin. There appears to be no specific motive; it is random in nature.”
The shelter-in-place order was eventually lifted after the arrests were made, but police reported that a possible third suspect fled during a traffic stop in the nearby Manor neighborhood.
Officers noted that the suspects had used bicycles to navigate through several stolen vehicles during the commission of their crimes, which included different makes like Hyundais and Mazdas. Davis cautioned residents against leaving keys in their vehicles.
The series of events highlighted a challenging and complex investigation, with multiple shooting scenes and a number of stolen vehicles complicating matters. Authorities had responded to reports of stolen vehicles and firearms from an apartment complex, which ultimately connected to the wave of shootings.
In response to the situation, Austin Mayor Kirk Watson commended the collaborative efforts of various law enforcement agencies involved in managing the rapidly evolving incidents. Davis emphasized the seriousness of the situation, underlining the danger posed by two young individuals armed with guns. “We need to take seriously the fact that we have two boys, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, running around with guns and causing this havoc,” she remarked.
