Austin Police Arrest Juveniles After Citywide Shooting Spree

Austin police apprehended three juveniles on Sunday linked to 12 shooting incidents across the city. These incidents injured four individuals, damaged two fire stations, and enforced a shelter-in-place order in South Austin.

Details of the Arrests

Chief Lisa Davis of the Austin Police Department announced the arrest of a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old. The shootings began late Saturday and continued into Sunday morning. “We have two suspects in custody,” Davis stated during a Sunday press conference.

The Manor Police Department confirmed the arrest of a third suspect, a 16-year-old male, later that day. This suspect had fled from a vehicle after a pursuit. Austin police have taken custody of him.

Widespread Impact

The shootings appeared random, affecting various locations, including apartment complexes, residential areas, and two fire stations. One station was targeted twice, with a fire truck impacted while firefighters were nearby.

Authorities warned residents to shelter in an area bounded by key roads in South Austin during the search for the suspects. The order was lifted after the initial arrests, although police continued to seek the third suspect.

Connection to Stolen Property

The 17-year-old suspect faced a warrant related to firearm theft, tied to the same store where the 15-year-old allegedly stole another gun. The suspects reportedly cycled through several stolen vehicles, including various Hyundai models and a Kia Optima.

Shooting Victims

Four individuals suffered gunshot wounds. One victim had critical injuries but was stable, while the others endured non-life-threatening issues. Emergency responders treated victims across four shooting scenes.

Investigation Efforts

Surveillance footage revealed suspects’ involvement in the shootings. Investigations commenced following reports of a stolen vehicle and firearm from an apartment complex. The complexity of the investigation arose from multiple scenes, vehicles, and seemingly random attacks.

Community and Official Response

“We need to take seriously the fact that we’ve got two juveniles, 15 and 17, running around with guns creating this havoc,” Davis emphasized.

Mayor Kirk Watson commended the response from local and regional law enforcement, including the Travis County Sheriff’s Office and the Texas Department of Public Safety. He highlighted the rapid coordination across multiple agencies and locations.

Davis suggested that using license plate reader technology might have expedited linking the shootings and vehicle thefts. Authorities encouraged residents to avoid leaving keys inside vehicles to prevent thefts.

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