AUSTIN, Texas — One person was killed and another was injured near the Gus L. Garcia Recreation Center in northwest Austin early this morning, according to Austin police.
Police said the shooting happened around 12:30 a.m., and no suspect had been identified as of tonight.
Neighbors and friends described the recreation center as a place many in the area consider safe. Chris Moore, who lives nearby, said, “It’s devastating because the victims is my friend.”
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Austin police said officers found a 30-year-old man known as Southpark with “obvious signs of trauma.” Police said he died after lifesaving measures by EMS were unsuccessful. Officers also found another person injured nearby. Austin police spokesperson Jeremy Fischer said the injured person was “transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.”
Toon, who lives nearby and said he was close with Southpark, reacted emotionally to the death.
“It definitely hurt me, not going to lie,” Toon said. He described Southpark as someone he looked up to, saying, “With him, he was like a big brother thing with him… He was a genuine dude. He was really trustworthy…”
As the investigation continues, some residents said they believe Southpark may not have been the intended target. Moore said, “He wasn’t supposed to be the victim. They were aiming at someone else.”