AUSTIN (KXAN) — Police are continuing to investigate a homicide that happened outside a nightclub near East 7th Street on Friday night.
According to the Austin Police Department, officers responded after reports of gunfire near the Cabana Club. Investigators say a group of people outside the club were involved in an altercation shortly before shots were fired.
Police sources confirmed with KXAN that a suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.
However, Central Texas Gunworks owner Michael Cargill said two of his employees were involved and were caught in violence they were not part of. Cargill believes the worker who fired the gun is now facing a murder charged. KXAN is working to get the affidavit for this incident.
“They immediately started jumping on my employees, assaulting them, to the point that one of my employees was knocked down and then several more people jumped in and then it turned into 12 people attacking my employees against two people,” said Michael Cargill, owner of Central Texas Guns Works.
“This is all because they mistook my my employees as someone they had a disagreement with inside the bar,” said Cargill.
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Cargill said another employee stepped in after seeing his coworker unconscious.
“My other employee saw that he was unconscious and made the decision to pull out his firearm and stop the threat. My employee did exactly what I would have and done and exactly what he’s been trained to do,” Cargill said.
“I want to make sure it’s very clear that my employees did exactly what they were supposed to do. They defended themselves. They were being attacked. Someone tried to kill them,” said Cargill.
Cargill told KXAN one employee is an assistant manager and another is a sales clerk at Central Texas Gun Works.
For local businesses in the area, Friday night’s shooting is as a surprise.
“I’ve been with ‘Hi Sign’ for about two years and nothing like this has happened. It is definitely surprising to have something hit so close to home. You know, we’re a really quiet neighborhood, very community focused, walkable,” said JR Sciuto, General manager at ‘Hi Sign Brewing’.
“I really hope that, you know, people can still be able to enjoy the neighborhood, feel safe and, and still come out,” said Sciuto
During a press conference Friday night, police confirmed several people were injured in the incident and took themselves to local hospitals. Authorities have not released information about the victim or additional circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Cargill said one of his employees suffered serious injuries, including bruised ribs.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing, and additional details have not yet been released. Officials confirmed the case is being investigated as Austin’s 20th homicide of the year.