Authorities reported that at least three individuals lost their lives, including the alleged shooter, while 14 others sustained injuries when gunfire broke out around 2 a.m. CT Sunday in Austin’s vibrant nightlife area as bars were closing. Police arrived at the scene following reports of the shooting at a well-known bar and subsequently shot the suspect dead.
Officials reported that three individuals who were hospitalized are currently in serious condition.
According to Police Chief Lisa Davis, authorities were alerted to a shooting incident involving a man at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden, located at the intersection of West Sixth and Rio Grande streets in downtown Austin.
“Officers quickly moved from East Sixth to West Sixth Street and confronted an individual armed with a gun. In response, three of our officers fired back, resulting in the suspect’s death,” Davis stated during a press briefing on Sunday morning.
CNN has contacted the Austin police to obtain further details.
“This is a heartbreaking, heartbreaking event,” Davis remarked. “Our federal collaborators are present, along with others, and this scene will require several hours to thoroughly investigate.”
The FBI’s San Antonio Division, which oversees the Austin region, confirmed to CNN its participation in the investigation, though it did not provide further details.
The investigation has been joined by the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force due to initial evidence discovered at the location, as reported by CNN affiliate KVUE.
According to Robert Luckritz, chief of Austin-Travis County Emergency Medical Services, paramedics stationed in the entertainment district alongside the Austin Police Department during weekends responded swiftly.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by this tragedy. I would like to express my gratitude once more to our public safety personnel and officials who were on-site so quickly,” stated Austin Mayor Kirk Watson during the press conference. “Their actions undoubtedly saved lives.”
This is an evolving narrative and will receive updates as more information becomes available.