The Austin Police Department says 3 people are dead, including the suspect, and 14 were injured after a shooting just before 2 a.m. The FBI is also involved.
AUSTIN, Texas — Two were killed and at least 14 others were injured after a shooting early Sunday morning in downtown Austin, authorities said. The shooter was also killed. The FBI is involved in the investigation.
Austin police responded to reports of gunfire at Buford’s bar on West Sixth Street just before 2 a.m.
Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said the suspect, who was driving a large SUV, circled the block several times before stopping, turning on the SUV’s hazard lights, and firing a handgun.
Police said he then parked near Wood Street, got out and continued shooting with a pistol and later a rifle as he walked east on Sixth Street. Officers who were stationed nearby at the time opened fire on the shooter, killing him.
Davis said the suspect never entered Buford’s bar but fired shots from outside the building. She said evidence from the SUV and nearby businesses is still being processed and confirmed that only two weapons — a pistol and a rifle — were recovered.
Fourteen patients were located at the scene and taken to nearby hospitals, and two victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Three of those hospitalized remain in critical condition.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation based on preliminary evidence found on the scene.
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran confirmed that indicators inside the suspect’s SUV suggested a possible terrorism link. Authorities later cleared those items as non-threatening but said the investigation into motive continues.
“Obviously it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation,” Doran said. “But there were indicators that on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism.”
EMT crews were also stationed in the area, which allowed paramedics to respond in under a minute.
“We have paramedics that are embedded in the entertainment district and with the Austin Police Department on the weekends,” said Chief Robert Luckritz with ATCEMS. “We received the call at 1:59 a.m. and within 57 seconds, the first paramedics and officers were on scene actively treating the patients.”
“I’m very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” said Austin Mayor Kirk Watson. “I don’t think there’s any question that it saved lives.”
Watson said he will continue to update the public throughout the day as more details become available.
The investigation is ongoing, and more information is expected to be released as it becomes available.