Austin man shot on West Sixth Street seeks strangers who helped save his life

AUSTIN, Texas — An Austin man who was shot during the mass shooting on West Sixth Street early Sunday morning is back home after surgery and is now trying to find the strangers he says helped save his life.

George Davis said he and a few friends were hanging out at a bar near Buford’s on West Sixth Street early Sunday morning when shots went off. Three people were killed, and more than a dozen others were injured during the mass shooting. The suspect was later shot and killed by Austin police.

Davis said he was hit once in the back but was able to get away.

“It was frightening. It was scary. I’m surprised in myself that I was able to think so clearly and take meaningful steps instead of waiting for help,” Davis said.

Davis said the bullet caused significant injuries and required surgery.

“The bullet fractured two ribs; it bruised my lung. I did have to go through surgery to get the bullet out,” he said.

Davis said he ran from the scene to North Lamar, where he encountered a bystander who helped him and another person who drove him in a personal vehicle.

“I was able to run all the way to North Lamar, and there was a bystander there who had a couple of shopping bags. I asked her if she had, you know, any clothes or anything that could help, and she did,” Davis recounted. “And that’s when someone else pulled up on North Lamar in their personal vehicle and was able to get me in. And I truly believe, you know, they were the reason I’m alive today.”

Davis was released from the hospital on Tuesday. He said his goal now is to find the three people he credits with saving his life.

“I truly am appreciative of picking up a random stranger and taking the action to try and save someone’s life,” Davis said.

In the wake of the shooting, Joell McNew, president of Safehorns, said more security is needed across the entertainment district and pointed to technology that could help detect weapons.

“One thing I would like to see is Omni Lert. It’s a safety solution that can be added to any camera. It can identify firearms in real time,” McNew said.

Austin police were asked whether they have heard of the system and whether they would consider using it moving forward. A response had not been received.

Davis has a GoFundMe to help cover medical costs, travel expenses, and therapy bills.