Three people were killed, including the gunman, and 14 people were injured in a shooting at a bar in Austin, Texas. The FBI is investigating.
AUSTIN, Texas — Two people were killed and at least 14 others were injured in a shooting early Sunday morning in downtown Austin, authorities said. A third person, the shooter, was also killed in the incident.
Austin police responded to reports of gunfire at Buford’s Backyard Beer Garden in the city’s popular shortly before 2 a.m. Central Time.Â
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.Â
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.Â
Fourteen patients were located at the scene and taken to nearby hospitals, and two victims were pronounced dead on scene. Three of those hospitalized remain in critical condition.Â
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force has joined the investigation based on preliminary evidence found on the scene. Â Â
FBI Acting Special Agent in Charge Alex Doran confirmed that indicators inside the suspect’s SUV suggested a possible terrorism link. Authorities later cleared those items as non-threatening but said the investigation into motive continues.Â
EMT crews were also stationed in the area, which allowed paramedics to respond in under a minute.Â
“I am very thankful for the speed with which our public safety officials responded to this,” Austin Mayor Kirk Watson said Sunday morning. “I don’t think there’s any question that it saved lives.”Â
Watson said he will continue to update the public throughout the day as more details become available.
This breaking news story is developing will be updated as information is confirmed.Â
This story was first reported by KVUE, a TEGNA station based in Austin, Texas.Â







