AUSTIN, Texas (KWTX) — A violent 28-hour crime spree that included 12 shootings and multiple vehicle thefts across Austin ended Sunday afternoon with three juveniles in custody.
The Austin Police Department arrested 17-year-old Cristian Fajardo Mondragon and two other suspects, ages 16 and 15, in connection with the crimes. Because two of the suspects are juveniles under Texas law, APD is limited in what information can be publicly released regarding their identities, booking information and detention status.
Charges are under review and expected to include multiple counts related to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated assault/motor vehicle, deadly conduct, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle, evading arrest and theft of a firearm, police said. Additional charges may be filed as investigators continue reviewing evidence.
Police say 3 juveniles drove stolen vehicles across the city in series of random shootings that injured 4(Austin PD)
The shootings were both random and targeted, according to investigators. Some victims knew the suspects, while others had no apparent connection. Police said they do not believe there is an ongoing public safety threat.
Investigation summary
Four people were shot during the 12 incidents, police said. Three victims sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One remains in critical condition.
The violence damaged five vehicles, four homes, two fire stations and three fire trucks, according to APD. At least five vehicles and one firearm were stolen.
Here’s how the crime spree unfolded:
Saturday, May 16
11:30 a.m. — A gun was taken from a business at 321 W. Ben White Boulevard. Surveillance cameras captured a dark-colored Hyundai Sonata leaving the scene, according to police. That vehicle had been stolen earlier from the Social Apartments at 1817 E. Oltorf Drive, investigators said.
3:58 p.m. — Bullets hit a trailer home at 10 Yucca Drive in what became the first confirmed shooting of the spree, APD reported. Shell casings littered the scene and the structure showed damage, but nobody was hurt.
4:30 p.m. — Multiple vehicles and an occupied apartment took gunfire at the Whisper Hollow complex at 3300 Parker Lane. Bullets penetrated rooms where adults and young children were inside, though everyone escaped injury, police said. Investigators collected shell casings and pulled surveillance footage showing a black sedan.
6:08 p.m. — At least one person got out of a vehicle and opened fire through the door of a third-floor apartment at 1601 Montopolis Drive, according to police. Nobody was injured. Someone wearing a black hoodie climbed into a black sedan before it sped away, a witness told investigators. Video evidence connected this attack to the earlier shootings, APD said.
6:19 p.m. — Gunfire damaged an unoccupied house and a vehicle in the 4800 block of Cypress Bend. The owner came home to find bullet holes, police said. Video from a nearby home showed a dark sedan that resembled the vehicle from previous attacks.
7 p.m. — Thieves took a Hyundai Elantra from the Motel 6 parking lot at 2707 S IH-35 Service Road North. Surveillance footage captured images of people who fit descriptions from earlier in the day, according to investigators.
8:30 p.m. — Someone in a vehicle fired a gun skyward at 6575 Decker Lane near a business and parked vehicles, a witness told officers. The shots caused no damage or injuries.
8:49 p.m. — Gunfire erupted at Austin Fire Station 26 at 6702 Wentworth Drive with firefighters inside the building, police said. Rounds pierced the garage doors and damaged emergency vehicles and equipment, but nobody was injured.
8:55 p.m. — Bullets shattered the windshield of a vehicle at 5701 Purple Sage Drive while a victim sat inside, according to police. Flying glass caused minor injuries. People nearby described seeing a dark sedan like the one used in other attacks.
Sunday, May 17
3:50 a.m. — Thieves took another vehicle at 2336 Douglas Street, police said.
7:45 a.m. — A stolen vehicle turned up at 1800 E. Stassney Lane with bullet holes that appeared related to the ongoing crimes, according to APD.
8:46 a.m. — Gunfire wounded a victim in the back and stomach at 7409 Janes Ranch Road. Paramedics rushed the person to a hospital, police said. Someone nearby saw a dark sedan speed away after the shots rang out.
9 a.m. — One of the stolen Hyundai vehicles appeared at South First Street and Ben White Boulevard, but the driver escaped before officers could initiate a stop, according to police.
9:30 a.m. — Investigators found more stolen vehicles in Southeast Austin that appeared connected to the suspects, APD said.
10:46 a.m. — A gold sedan pulled up to Austin Fire Station 32 at 2804 Monticello Road and someone inside opened fire through the open garage doors, police said. Rounds hit a fire truck and the building while firefighters were present. Someone nearby watched the attack unfold and told firefighters what they saw.
1:27 p.m. — Thieves grabbed a white Kia Optima from 4501 S IH-35 Service Road North that would be used in several subsequent shootings, investigators believe.
1:44 p.m. — The white Kia was used in a drive-by shooting that wounded two people at 2223 Burton Drive, police said. Authorities temporarily shut down part of Burton Drive near East Oltorf Lane during the emergency response. Video evidence confirmed what victims described to officers, according to APD.
1:53 p.m. — The white sedan appeared again in a shooting at 6118 Fairway Street, police said.
2:02 p.m. — Gunfire was reported at 10001 Burleson Road, according to investigators.
2:29 p.m. — A victim suffered gunshot wounds at 11700 Dionda Lane and was rushed to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries, police said. The person is continuing to be treated at a local hospital. Video captured a white Kia pulling up to the victim, who collapsed moments later as the car fled.
3:23 p.m. — Manor police located the stolen white Kia near FM 973 after area agencies received a BOLO, according to APD. Manor Police Department and Travis County Sheriff’s Office deputies gave chase until the vehicle veered into a field near FM 973 and the occupants jumped out. Officers grabbed one suspect near the abandoned car. A second was captured after an extensive search using K9s, air support and multiple agencies. The third suspect was detained later after Manor police responded to a suspicious person call near FM 973, according to APD.
Anyone with information can contact the APD Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5245 or submit anonymous tips through Capital Area Crime Stoppers at austincrimestoppers.org or 512-472-8477.
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