WFAA-TV – 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.
FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force involved
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 said the FBI has sent in multiple specialized teams, including its evidence response and digital forensics units, to help process the scene and analyze evidence. He added investigators are examining potential indicators connected to the suspect but cautioned that it remains too early to determine a motive.
“Obviously it’s still way too early in the process to determine an exact motivation,” he said said. “But there were indicators that on the subject and in his vehicle that indicate potential nexus to terrorism.”
EMT response to shooting
EMT crews were also stationed in the area, which allowed paramedics to respond in under a minute.
“We had medical care on site treating patients within 57 seconds as part of a program between Austin Travis County EMS and the Austin Police Department where we have paramedics embedded with the teams during the peak of entertainment hours,” said Chief Robert Luckritz with ATCEMS. “All total, we had more than 20 EMS resources that responded to the scene. We had all critical patients off the scene within 24 minutes and all patients off the scene within 47 minutes.”
“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.
