Texas mass shooting leaves at least three dead and 14 wounded after gunman opened fire in bar
At least three people were killed and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas, on Sunday morning.
Police said the attacker, an unidentified male, was killed by officers who returned fire.
The attack happened just before 2 a.m. Sunday at Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street in Austin’s Entertainment District, authorities said.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said a total of 17 people were shot, 14 injured were taken to the hospital and three were pronounced dead at the scene. Three of those hospitalized are in critical condition.
The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force said in a statement Sunday that it would join the investigation and that terrorism was being investigated as a possible motive.
Davis called the shooting a “tragic, tragic event” and praised the bravery of the officers “confronted with an armed individual.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson also said he was ‘very grateful for the rapid response of our public safety officials to this… I don’t think there’s any doubt that this saved lives.’
In the images shared on social media, a topless person lies dead on the street and heavy police presence is seen at the scene.
Separate footage showed partiers crouching in fear inside the bar as police arrived at the scene, before several more gunshots were heard; This shows that the gunman opened fire again as law enforcement arrived before he was shot and killed.
The identities of the victims and suspects were not disclosed.
At least three people were killed and 14 others were injured in a mass shooting in Austin, Texas, on Sunday morning.
In the images shared on social media, a topless person lies dead on the street and heavy police presence is seen at the scene. It is not yet known whether the deceased was the attacker or the victim.
Videos on social media show Buford’s bar was packed minutes before the shooting, as a large crowd of people partying on the bar’s dance floor was present when the gunman opened fire.
Police and paramedics were stationed near Buford’s bar as a weekend routine in Austin’s entertainment district, authorities said at a news conference.
Officials said paramedics arrived at the scene just 57 seconds after the shooting began.
Authorities have not commented on the gunman’s motive or what led to the shooting.
This is breaking news and will be updated as information is verified.
