Juveniles Arrested in Connection with Austin Shooting Spree

Austin police apprehended three juveniles on Sunday in relation to a series of 12 shooting incidents that swept across the city. These incidents resulted in injuries to four individuals, targeted two fire stations, and necessitated a shelter-in-place order in South Austin.

According to Chief Lisa Davis of the Austin Police Department, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old were detained following the shootings which spanned from late Saturday to Sunday morning.

“We have two suspects in custody,” Davis stated during a press briefing on Sunday. “We have a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old in custody.”

Later on Sunday, the Manor Police Department reported that a third suspect, who had fled from a vehicle during an earlier chase, was located and detained.

The third suspect, as confirmed by Manor Police Department to Fox News Digital, is a 16-year-old male, now in the custody of Austin police. Police assured the public that there is no ongoing threat.

Authorities disclosed that the 17-year-old suspect already had an outstanding warrant connected to a firearm theft from the same store where the 15-year-old reportedly stole another gun. Throughout the spree, the suspects allegedly stole multiple vehicles and discharged firearms at apartment buildings, homes, pedestrians, and two fire stations. Davis noted one fire station was hit twice, and a fire truck was struck with firefighters nearby.

Officials specified that four people were injured during the shootings; one sustained critical injuries but was in stable condition, and three others had non-life-threatening wounds.

Chief Robert Luckritz of Austin-Travis County EMS described the response to victims at four separate scenes across Austin. Davis remarked the shootings were mostly concentrated in South Austin, appearing to be random and without a specific motive.

Residents were initially advised to shelter in place within an area bounded by South Slaughter Lane, East McKinney Falls Parkway, North Ben White Boulevard, and West Escarpment Boulevard while the suspects were sought. This directive was lifted after two individuals were taken into custody, though police continued to hunt for a third individual who eluded capture during a vehicle chase in the Manor area.

Austin police indicated the suspects used a variety of stolen vehicles, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver Mazda four-door, and a white Kia Optima. Davis urged residents not to leave keys or key fobs inside their vehicles.

Authorities commented on the complex investigation unfolding with numerous crime scenes, stolen vehicles, and shootings across varied locations in Austin. The inquiry started after reports of a stolen vehicle from an apartment complex and a stolen firearm, later connecting the incidents as further shootings occurred.

During the investigation, officers responded to shootings affecting apartment buildings and homes, taking steps to ensure no residents were harmed by going door-to-door. Surveillance footage showed one particular shooting outside a store, where shots fired from a passing vehicle injured two people, and a man walking his dog was shot in the back on Sunday morning.

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson commended the coordinated law enforcement response from local and regional agencies like the Travis County Sheriff’s Office, Manor Police Department, and Texas Department of Public Safety.

“This was a rapidly evolving event involving multiple incidents in multiple locations,” Watson expressed.

Chief Davis mentioned that license plate reader technology might have expedited the process of connecting the shootings and stolen vehicle incidents. Davis highlighted the seriousness of juveniles, aged 15 and 17, being involved in such destructive actions, urging consideration of resource allocation.