Police said the suspects have carried out up to 10 attacks, injuring as many as four people.
AUSTIN, Texas — Two suspects have been arrested and the search continues for a third in connection with multiple shootings across Austin on Saturday and Sunday. A shelter-in-place that had been issued for a large area of South Austin has now been lifted.
The suspects have carried out up to 10 attacks, injuring as many as four people, according Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis. One victim sustained serious injuries, and the other three have minor injuries.
According to police, there is no specific motive to the shootings, and they appear to be random. At least two of the shootings occurred at Austin fire stations, and most of the shootings have occurred in South Austin.
“At this time, the investigation is ongoing, and APD asks that our community remain vigilant,” the department said in a press release on Sunday.
As of around 4:25 p.m., APD said two suspects were in custody. A third remains at large in the Manor area.
The Manor Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order for the following areas: Ralph Ritchie/Suncrest Road, North FM 973 Road near Suncrest Road/Tower Road, the Presidential Meadows subdivision, Greenbury subdivision, Stonewater subdivision.
The suspects were driving a black or dark blue 2012 Hyundai Sonata with a broken right passenger window, pictured below. Police said the suspects have been stealing and switching vehicles. The suspects may also be driving a gold Hyundai sedan, silver Mazda four-door or a white Kia Optima, police said. Davis has urged residents to not leave their vehicles unlocked.
Police did not confirm whether a shooting that happened in southeast Austin on Sunday morning was connected. APD is expected to provide more details in a briefing around 4:30 p.m.
The Austin Fire Department said it was aware of two separate incidents in which fire stations were struck by gunfire – one late Saturday night and another on Sunday morning. No firefighters were injured in the shootings, and only minor damage was reported.
The shootings have not affected the response model from the Austin Fire Department, which remains fully staffed, operational and responding to calls across the city, the union said.
“Austin firefighters are continuing to answer every call for help, just as we always do,” said David Girouard, president of the Austin Firefighters Association. “Our members are continuing to respond city-wide to other reported shootings and to care for victims. While out station doors are locked, our crews remain in full force responding to every call to serve our city and respond to our community without hesitation.”
Anyone with any information is asked to contact APD at 512-974-5177 or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 512-472-8477, or by visiting austincrimestoppers.org. A reward of up to $1,000 is available for information leading to an arrest.