Police have arrested three suspects in Austin after a wave of violence over the weekend. This included vehicle thefts, gun thefts, and 12 separate shootings, two of which took place at local fire stations. At least four people were injured during these incidents.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis spoke at a press conference, revealing that two of the suspects are teenagers, aged 15 and 17. They were apprehended after a series of shootings spread across the city from Saturday afternoon until Sunday morning. A third suspect was arrested later by Manor police.
The 17-year-old had an outstanding warrant for stealing a gun from a local store, which is the same store where the 15-year-old allegedly took a firearm. Police initially learned about the stolen vehicle but didn’t connect it to the firearm theft right away.
Most of the reported incidents happened in South and East Austin. Gunfire was directed at fire stations, homes, and apartment buildings. One fire truck was even hit while firefighters were present. Police are investigating whether anyone inside those buildings was injured and are expected to release more information about the incidents soon.
The police tracked down the two teenage suspects in Manor. After pulling over their vehicle, the teens fled the scene with a third individual. Surveillance footage captured them during several shooting events, but it’s unclear how involved the third person was.
The teenagers are accused of stealing at least four vehicles. One victim suffered critical injuries but is now stable after being treated at a trauma center, according to Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Rob Luckritz.
The investigation is ongoing. Chief Davis expressed concern about the motives behind the reckless driving and senseless shooting across the city, stating, “I don’t know what motive would drive anybody to come and drive around senselessly in the city.” Meanwhile, the two teens are set to be booked into juvenile detention.
In light of this troubling weekend, many community members are speaking out on social media, expressing their fears about safety in Austin. The recent uptick in violence is a reminder of a growing issue. In fact, a report from the FBI indicated that violent crime rates have been on the rise across many U.S. cities in recent years.
As police continue their investigation, community leaders are urging citizens to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. The hope is to restore a sense of safety in a city that has long been seen as welcoming and friendly.
For more details on crime trends in your area, visit the FBI’s Crime Statistics.
