Two teenagers are in custody and authorities are searching for a potential third suspect following a series of at least 10 random shootings over the weekend in Austin, Texas. City officials confirmed Sunday that the violence left four people injured.
According to Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis, the suspects operated a string of robberies and shootings from Saturday afternoon through Sunday morning. While driving stolen vehicles, the individuals fired upon houses, apartment buildings, and two fire stations.
Details of the Arrests and Suspects
The two suspects in custody are boys aged 15 and 17. Police apprehended them after they were pulled over in a stolen car and attempted to flee. A third individual who was in the vehicle also fled and remains at large, though Chief Davis stated it is currently unknown if that person was involved in the shootings.
Investigation into the weapons revealed that the 15-year-old had previously stolen the firearm used in the attacks. The 17-year-old was already wanted for a separate theft of a firearm.
Community Impact and Emergency Response
The scale of the violence prompted the city to issue a shelter-in-place order for a large portion of southern Austin on Sunday. This order was lifted once two of the suspects were in custody.
The shooting spree resulted in four victims being transported to hospitals, with officials reporting that one person sustained critical injuries. Chief Davis noted that the suspects stole at least four vehicles while traveling across the city.
Significance and Motive
The lack of a clear target has heightened the severity of the incident, as the attacks appeared to be indiscriminate. Mayor Kirk Watson emphasized the unpredictable nature of the crime, stating, “We don’t have any specific motive that has been identified. In fact, these actions appear to be random.”
Potential Next Steps
Law enforcement efforts are likely to remain focused on locating the third individual who fled the vehicle. Further investigations may be conducted to determine if the third suspect played a role in the weekend’s events. Legal proceedings are expected to follow for the two minors currently in custody.