13 Injured, No Deaths In Austin Shooting

AUSTIN, TX — Thirteen people were injured in a shooting early Saturday morning in the heart of Austin's crowded Sixth Street nightlife area, according to interim Austin Police Chief Joseph Chacon.

Nobody was killed in the shooting and the suspect remains at large. One of the victims suffered very serious injuries, said police. Two of the shooting victims are in critical condition.

It is not known at this time what sparked the shooting. Austin Police are investigating if it may be gang related.

Chacon held a 4 a.m. press conference to announce details: The shooting broke out around 1:30 a.m. Saturday. At 1:24 a.m., someone made a 911 call of shots fired outside Chupacabra Cantina.

"As the incident unfolded it became clear there were many, many victims in this incident," Chacon said.

Police officers rushed shooting victims to nearby hospitals in their own squad cars, transporting six victims overall to the hospital, as the area was so crowded and chaotic that at first ambulances could not get through, police said.

The shooting happened in the heart of Austin's thriving live music and nightlife district.

"Sixth Street on a Friday night is very busy. The streets are barricaded and we have large crowds," Chacon said. "The crowds are on the street and very active."

The suspect is described as a thin man with dreadlocks. The police chief said more details and description of the suspect were very limited.

It was a very quick response by Austin police that saved lives, Chacon said, saying that officers and EMS immediately responded to the scene, applying tourniquets, chest seals and "immediately begin life-saving measures for many."

"We are now focused on catching the suspect. We urge you to please call 911 or the APD tip line if you think you have relevant information," Austin Mayor Steve Adler (D) tweeted Saturday morning after the incident. "The uptick in gun violence locally is part of a disturbing rise in gun violence across the country as we exit the pandemic. APD and the City Council have initiated multiple violence prevention efforts in response- but this crisis requires a broader, coordinated response from all levels of government. One thing is clear - greater access to firearms does not equal greater public safety."