Shooting at Target Store in Austin
Incident Overview
A suspect is in custody after a gunman opened fire Monday outside a Target store in Austin, killing at least three people, police said. Austin police responded to the Target in the 8600 block of Research Boulevard about 2:15 p.m., Austin police Chief Lisa Davis said Monday at a news conference. Officers arrived within four minutes.
Responding officers found three people who had been shot in the Target parking lot, Davis said. The suspect fled the North Austin scene in a stolen car, wrecked that car then stole another from a car dealership, Davis said.
Arrest and Investigation
The suspect was captured in South Austin, with police using a stun gun on him as they took him into custody, she said during a news conference. Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said two people were pronounced dead at the scene and one person was taken to a hospital where they were pronounced dead.
He said another person was treated on the scene for unrelated injuries. Davis said she had no information to release about the victims. She also said police did not yet have a motive for the shooting.
Reaction from Authorities
“This is a very sad day for Austin. It’s a very sad day for us all and my condolences go out to the families,” Davis said. Davis said the suspect is a man in his 30s with “a mental health history.”
“This is a devastating situation, and my heart is with the victims and their families,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said in a message on X. “While this remains an active and ongoing investigation, what I’ll say is that this was a sickening, cowardly act of gun violence.”
Witness Accounts
At a Jiffy Lube that shares its parking lot with the Target, employees hunkered down and locked the store doors as soon as they became aware a shooting was taking place. Paul Smith, an employee at the auto store, said he saw people running from their cars in the parking lot in a panic.
“I had just gotten back from the Target like a minute before,” Smith said. The shooting came amid back-to-school shopping ahead of the upcoming school year. The shooting happened in the parking lot, not inside the store, Davis said.
Related Incidents
The Target shooting comes just over two weeks after an attack at a Walmart store in Michigan. A man stabbed 11 people at the store in Traverse City on July 26 and has been charged with terrorism and multiple counts of attempted murder.
Target corporate has not responded to an email from The Associated Press seeking comment. The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to determine the motive behind the shooting.
Conclusion
The shooting at the Target store in Austin is a tragic reminder of the senseless violence that can occur in our communities. The incident has left three people dead and many more affected by the trauma of the event. As the investigation continues, it is essential to support the families of the victims and to work towards preventing such incidents in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happened at the Target store in Austin?
A: A gunman opened fire outside a Target store in Austin, killing at least three people. The suspect is in custody, and the investigation is ongoing.
Q: Who is the suspect?
A: The suspect is a man in his 30s with a mental health history. His name has not been released, and the motive behind the shooting is still unknown.
Q: What is the current status of the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, and police are working to determine the motive behind the shooting. The suspect is in custody, and authorities are gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Q: How can I stay safe in public places?
A: It is essential to be aware of your surroundings and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. You can also take steps to stay safe, such as avoiding isolated areas and staying in well-lit and populated areas.
