A suspect in the early morning mass shooting on Sixth Street is in custody, the Austin Police Department said in a news release. A second suspect remains at large, APD said.
At least 14 people were shot on the crowded street a half-hour before bars closed. None of the victims died, but two were in critical condition. At an afternoon news conference, interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon said police were looking for two male suspects, but provided no additional information because of the ongoing investigation.
“We are going to solve this case,” he said.
He said the shooting appears to have been an isolated incident between two parties. The suspects could face charges ranging from deadly conduct to attempted murder.
Most of the victims were innocent bystanders, Chacon said.
Fire and EMS vehicles initially had trouble accessing the area because of the large crowds, he said. Officers used trauma kits to apply chest seals and tourniquets.
Chacon said he believes the officers’ quick action was “largely responsible” for no one dying at the scene.
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He said six of the victims were transported to the hospital in police vehicles; EMS transported four others, and four people either drove themselves or got other rides.
Austin Police and the FBI are reviewing reams of video footage captured by APD surveillance cameras, dozens of which are stationed around high-activity areas downtown. Detectives are also seeking private surveillance footage and any smartphone video recorded by witnesses.
At an earlier news conference, Chacon said 911 calls began pouring in around 1:30 a.m. As the minutes ticked past, 911 began receiving calls of more victims.
Witnesses posted accounts on social media. One video shows people on the ground as others flee for cover.
