Two Teenagers Arrested In Connection To 12 Shootings In Austin That Left Four People Injured

Two teenagers have been taken into custody in connection with the Austin shooting incident, which left four people injured. One more suspect has also been detained, according to a statement from police on May 17.

Police said that at least 12 shootings occurred in Austin beginning on May 16. The first incident occurred around 3:45 p.m., when reports came about a vehicle being stolen from an apartment complex.

Shortly after, another report was filed about a firearm being stolen from a store. At that point, authorities were not sure whether the two incidents were connected with each other. The suspects were being pursued after there were 20 additional calls related to incidents in South and East Austin.

Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said that most of the shootings occurred in South Austin. Initially, the incidents stopped on the night of May 16. However, the next day, around 8:47 a.m., it began again, after a “man walking his dog was struck in his back with gunfire.”

According to Mayor Kirk Watson, the shootings included the suspects firing at a firetruck at a fire station. The fire personnel were standing right behind the truck when it was hit by bullets. The teenager suspects also fired at apartment buildings, said the police.

Davis said that at least four vehicles were stolen in connection with the shootings. Police began searching for a black or dark blue Hyundai, a silver four-door Mazda, a gold Hyundai sedan, and a white Kia Optima.

Authorities initially said they had not identified a motive behind the shootings. “I don’t know what motive would drive anybody to drive around senselessly in this city, in multiple parts of this city, shooting,” Robin Henderson Davis said.

She added, “We had two individuals that were going and robbing cars, and then started firing shots at people.” According to Davis, “We had one pole cam that was up that actually captured one of the shootings in front of a store where two people were shot. A woman sitting there, standing there, talking to someone, and they drive by, and they shoot out their window, striking her.”

The suspects were later spotted during a traffic stop conducted by the Manor Police Department and the Travis County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said three suspects exited a white Kia and attempted to flee before being taken into custody.

Davis said the two suspects currently in custody are ages 15 and 17. Their identities have not been publicly released. Investigators also said they have not yet determined at what point the third suspect became involved in the shootings.

The investigation remains ongoing. Authorities said the 17-year-old suspect previously had an outstanding warrant related to gun theft.