Austin shooting spree triggers shelter-in-place before 2 teens arrested

Austin police arrested two teenagers on Sunday; investigators believe he is connected to 12 shootings across the city that injured four people, hit two fire stations and triggered a shelter-in-place order in South Austin.

Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said investigators detained a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old after the shootings that began late Saturday and continued into Sunday morning.

“We have two suspects in custody,” Davis said at a news conference Sunday. “We have a 15-year-old child and a 17-year-old child in custody.”

The 17-year-old already has an arrest warrant in connection with the theft of a firearm from the store, where the 15-year-old allegedly stole another gun, authorities said.

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According to police, the suspects allegedly stole several vehicles and shot at apartments, houses, pedestrians and two fire stations throughout the event.

A fire station was hit twice and a fire truck was hit while firefighters were nearby, Davis said.

Authorities said that 4 people were shot during the incidents. One victim suffered critical injuries but was in stable condition, while three others had non-life-threatening injuries.

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Surveillance footage released by Austin police shows the suspect investigators say was involved in multiple shootings throughout Austin. (Austin Police Department)

Austin-Travis County Emergency Services Chief Robert Luckritz said emergency responders treated victims at four separate shooting sites in the city.

“Most of the shootings right now have occurred in South Austin,” Davis said early Sunday. he said. “There is no specific cause and they appear to be random in nature.”

While authorities initially warned residents to take shelter in an area bounded by South Slaughter Lane, East McKinney Falls Parkway, North Ben White Boulevard and West Escarpment Boulevard, officers were searching for suspects.

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Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis speaks at a news conference with city officials following a series of shootings in Austin. (Austin Police Department)

The shelter-in-place order was lifted after two suspects were taken into custody, but police said a possible third person fled a vehicle stop in the Manor area.

Austin police said the suspects rode bikes around several stolen vehicles during the festivities, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver four-door Mazda and a white Kia Optima.

Davis urged residents not to leave keys or key fobs inside vehicles.

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An officer stands behind crime scene tape at the scene of an active investigation. (Stephanie Tacy/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

“We’re seeing these cars being stolen,” Davis said.

Authorities said the investigation began after officers responded to reports of a stolen vehicle and a stolen firearm at an apartment complex. Police later said investigators linked the incidents and other shootings were reported across the city.

Davis called the investigation “complex” due to the number of scenes, stolen vehicles and random shootings spanning multiple areas of Austin.

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Police say officers respond to shootings at apartments and homes by going door to door to make sure residents are not injured.

Surveillance video shows a shooting outside a store in which two people were shot after the suspects opened fire from a passing vehicle, Davis said.

Police also said a man walking his dog was shot in the back Sunday morning.

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

“This was a rapidly evolving incident involving multiple incidents at multiple locations,” Watson said.

Davis also suggested that license plate reader technology could help investigators more quickly make connections between shootings and reports of stolen vehicles.

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“We need to take seriously the fact that there were two young men, ages 15 and 17, walking around with guns and creating this mayhem,” Davis said.