Two Teenagers Arrested in Connection with Austin Shootings Spree
Quick Look
- Austin police arrested two teenagers, aged 15 and 17, in connection with at least 10 shootings, robberies, and stolen vehicles over the weekend.
- Four people were shot, one seriously.
- The shootings were described as random with no specific motive.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Austin police arrested two teenagers in connection with a series of shootings, robberies, and stolen vehicles that occurred over the weekend. The incidents resulted in at least four people being shot, with one sustaining serious injuries.
Police have arrested two teenagers in connection with at least 10 shootings that took place in Austin, Texas over the weekend.
At least four people have been shot, Austin Police Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday. One person sustained a “serious injury,” while the others have non-life-threatening injuries, she added.
Two suspects — a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old — are now in custody following a string of shootings on Saturday and Sunday that also involved robberies and stolen vehicles, according to police.
A third suspect may still be “at large,” the Austin Police Department said earlier on Sunday. A shelter-in-place order during the crime spree was briefly in place for the South Austin area before their arrest.
The shootings appeared to be “random” with “no specific motive,” according to Davis.
“I don’t know what motive would drive anybody to drive around senselessly in multiple parts of the city, shooting,” Davis told reporters Sunday evening. “These are dangerous kids out causing havoc in the city.”
The 17-year-old suspect had a warrant for stealing a gun at the same store from which the 15-year-old suspect is accused of stealing a firearm, Davis said.
Police were first alerted to a stolen car at an apartment complex and later to the firearm theft, but investigators initially did not know the cases were connected, Davis said.
Davis said the suspects have used several different cars, including a black or dark blue Hyundai, a gold Hyundai sedan, a silver Mazda four-door and a white Kia Optima.
“I want to remind people, do not leave their cars unlocked. What we are seeing are these cars are being stolen. Do not leave your keys in the vehicle or your key fobs in the vehicle,” she said Sunday.
Two of the shootings took place at Austin Fire Department stations. A firetruck was struck in one of the incidents, Davis said.
No firefighters were injured, with only “minor damage reported to at least one fire apparatus and both fire stations,” the Austin Firefighters Association said in a statement.
The city’s firefighters remain “fully staffed, operational, and responding to multiple shootings across the city,” according to the association.
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson has asked residents to “remain vigilant” and report any suspicious activity to police.
“If you see something suspicious, call 911 immediately. Stay safe,” Davis added.
Open Questions
- Is there a third suspect still at large?
- What is the specific motive behind the shootings?
- Will the arrested teenagers face additional charges?
- How did the suspects obtain the firearms?
