Three juvenile individuals are in custody following a weekend crime spree of 12 shootings that left four people injured, and multiple car thefts in Austin, Texas, as officials release a detailed timeline of the events.
Crimes that began around 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 16, continued into Sunday, May 17, leading to the arrests of three boys ages 15, 16 and 17, Austin Police Department Chief Lisa Davis said Sunday.
In a Monday update, officials identified the 17-year-old as Cristian Fajardo Mondragon.
A teen authorities in Austin and Manor, Texas searched for as part of an alleged robbery and shooting spree the weekend of May 16, 2026 and May 17, 2026.
The string of crimes started when Austin PD was first notified of a stolen vehicle from an apartment complex, followed by the theft of a firearm.
Following that, Davis said an estimated 20 service calls were received in the South and Southeast Austin areas regarding the individuals. The extent of the damage and injuries that occurred is:
One firearm was stolen.
Four people were struck by gunfire. Three people sustained non-life-threatening injuries. One sustained critical injuries and was transported to a trauma center.
Five vehicles were struck by gunfire.
Four residences were struck by gunfire.
Two fire stations were struck by gunfire.
Three fire department vehicles were struck by gunfire.
At least five vehicles were stolen.
The string of criminal events even drew in criticism from Gov. Greg Abbott, who released a statement on social media calling the individuals dangerous.
“If they are ever released from jail, they will surely harm again,” Abbott said. “The DA & Court must do their job and keep these criminals behind bars.”
Here’s a detailed timeline of the event and what we know so far.
Timeline of Austin, Texas shooting spree that left 4 people injured
Authorities in Austin and Manor, Texas have accused three juveniles of going on a crime spree and stealing multiple vehicles. The pictured vehicle is one of the cars the trio were alleged to have driven the weekend of May 16, 2026 and May 17, 2026.
The first reported incident of the crime spree occurred on Saturday, May 16, at 11:30 a.m., as officers received a report of a stolen firearm located at 321 W. Ben White Blvd.
Surveillance footage identified the individual’s vehicle as a dark-colored Hyundai Sonata. Investigators later determined that the Hyundai Sonata had been stolen from the Social Apartments at 1817 E. Oltorf Drive.
From there, here is the string of events described by officials that would unfold over the next two days.
Satuday, May 16
3:58 p.m. – 10 Yucca Drive: The first confirmed shooting occurred at a trailer residence with no injuries being reported. Officers located multiple shell casings and bullet damage to the structure.
4:30 p.m. – 3300 Parker Lane: Officers responded to another shooting at the Whisper Hollow apartment complex. Police reported that multiple vehicles and an occupied apartment were struck by gunfire, including rooms occupied by adults and young children, but no injuries were reported. Investigators recovered shell casings from the scene and obtained surveillance footage showing a black sedan involved in the shooting.
6:08 p.m. – 1601 Montopolis Drive:
The third shooting occurred at an apartment complex where investigators learned that the individuals exited the vehicle on foot and fired through the door of a third-floor apartment. No injuries were reported.
According to police, Witnesses observed a person wearing a black hoodie enter a black sedan and flee the scene. Investigators obtained surveillance footage, which linked this shooting to the previous ones.
This also marked the moment when detectives began investigating this as a series of shootings.
6:19 p.m. – 4802 Cypress Bend: An unoccupied residence was struck by gunfire. The homeowner later returned to his residence to discover bullet holes that had been struck through his home and vehicle. Investigators recovered video footage from a neighboring residence that captured a dark-colored sedan matching the vehicle that was involved in previous incidents.
7:00 p.m. – 2707 S IH-35 Service Road North: A Hyundai Elantra was stolen from a Motel 6 parking lot. Investigators obtained video footage of the individuals, which matched descriptions from previous incidents.
8:30 p.m. – 6575 Decker Lane: Shots were fired at a business and nearby vehicles. According to police, a witness stated that a person fired a gun into the air from a vehicle. No damage or injuries were reported.
8:49 p.m. – 6702 Wentworth Drive (Austin Fire Station 26): A gunman fired shots from a vehicle into the Austin Fire station garage doors, while firefighters were inside. The gunfire struck emergency response vehicles and equipment, but firefighters were injured.
8:55 p.m. – 5701 Purple Sage Drive: Two individuals reported that gunmen fired shots from their vehicle, striking the windshield of another person’s vehicle, which was parked and attended.
According to police, a person who was sitting inside the vehicle when it was struck received minor injuries from the shattered windshield glass.
A witness described the individuals driving a dark-colored sedan to the police, matching the description of the sedan used in previous incidents.
Authorities in Austin and Manor, Texas have accused three juveniles of going on a crime spree and stealing multiple vehicles. The pictured vehicle is one of the cars the trio were alleged to have driven the weekend of May 16, 2026 and May 17, 2026.
After a few hours’ lull, the crime press picked back up on early Sunday.
Satuday, May 16
3:50 a.m. – 2336 Douglas St.: Another stolen vehicle was reported.
7:45 a.m. – 1800 E. Stassney Lane: Officers recovered a stolen vehicle containing bullet damage believed to be connected to the ongoing incidents.
8:46 a.m. – 7409 Janes Ranch Road: An individual was shot in the back and stomach and transported to a hospital. A witness described a dark-colored sedan to police driving away after hearing shots fired, linking this incident to the incidents of the prior day.
9:00 a.m. – South First Street and Ben White Boulevard: Officers located one of the stolen Hyundai vehicles connected to the investigation, but the vehicle eluded before officers could attempt a traffic stop.
9:30 a.m. — location not made available: Investigators recovered additional stolen vehicles in Southeast Austin, believed to be tied to the individuals and shootings.
10:46 a.m. – 2804 Monticello Road (Austin Fire Station 32): Another shooting involving a gold-colored sedan was reported. A gunman fired shots from a vehicle into the Austin Fire station while the garage doors were open, striking an AFD vehicle and the building structure. Firefighters were inside during the shooting.
1:27 p.m. – 4501 S IH-35 Service Road North: Investigators believe the individuals stole a white Kia Optima, later used in several shootings.
1:44 p.m. – 2223 Burton Drive: Two individuals were shot during a drive-by shooting involving the white Kia Optima. As officers searched for the individual’s vehicle, portions of Burton Drive near East Oltorf Lane were temporarily shut down as part of the active investigation and emergency response.
1:53 p.m. – 6118 Fairway St.: Another shooting involving the white sedan was reported.
2:02 p.m. – 10001 Burleson Road: Additional shots-fired incident reported.
2:29 p.m. – 11700 Dionda Lane: An individual sustained gunshot wounds and was transported to a trauma center with life-threatening injuries.
Police noted that as of Monday, May 18, the individual is continuing to be treated at a local hospital. Investigators located surveillance footage showing a white Kia sedan approaching an individual before the individual fell to the ground. The Kia then fled the scene.
3:23 p.m. – FM 973 Area: The stolen white Kia Optima was located by Manor Police Department officers after a BOLO was broadcast to surrounding agencies.
Manor Police Department and Travis County Sheriff’s Office deputies pursued the vehicle until the individuals drove into a field near FM 973, where they abandoned it.
Three individuals then fled on foot — one was apprehended near the vehicle and a second one was located nearby after an extensive search involving K9s, air support and multiple agencies.
The third individual was detained later after Manor PD responded to a suspicious person call near FM 973.
According to Austin PD, investigators are still processing evidence, including shell casings, surveillance footage, stolen vehicles, and digital evidence. The investigation remains ongoing.
Police ask anyone with information should contact the Aggravated Assault Unit at 512-974-5177 or submit tips anonymously through austincrimestoppers.org or by calling 512-472-8477.
What are the 3 juveniles chraged with?
According to Austin PD, formal charges remain under review and are 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, theft of a firearm and other related offenses.
APD noted that additional charges may be filed as investigators continue reviewing ballistic evidence, surveillance footage, witness statements and recovered evidence.
What was the motive behind the shootings?
According to Austin police, investigators believe the incidents were a mix of random and targeted shootings, noting that some victims were known to the suspects, while other incidents appeared to occur without any known connection.
Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him at mrosiles@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Austin shooting timeline details criminal spree of 3 juveniles